[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO LORI HARTWELL--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 12, 2018

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to 
outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional 
District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Lori Hartwell 
of Glendale, California.
   A resilient survivor of chronic kidney disease (CKD), Lori has 
dedicated her life to the renal field and patients with chronic 
illness. In her lifelong struggle with CKD, which began when she was 
two years old, Ms. Hartwell received dialysis treatments for almost 13 
years and has had four kidney transplants. Rather than capitulating to 
the obstacles of this debilitating disease, Ms. Hartwell chose to 
embrace her circumstances and motivate others like her to lead complete 
and productive lives. In her book Chronically Happy--Joyful Living in 
Spite of Chronic Illness, she narrates the challenges she overcame as 
well as the steps to achieving one's dreams.
   After developing a comprehensive understanding of the American renal 
patient population as a sales specialist for HemaMetrics and sales 
manager for Medcomp, Ms. Hartwell became editor of the medical journal 
Contemporary Dialysis & Nephrology and established Hartwell 
Communications to consult on patient-related educational materials. In 
1993, Lori founded the Renal Support Network (RSN), originally a 
Southern California-grassroots patient-led organization that has since 
expanded across the United States. The RSN endeavors to cultivate an 
emotional support network built on hope, knowledge, and peer connection 
to provide CKD patients with the tools to thrive despite their illness.
   In addition to her work with RSN, Ms. Hartwell gives presentations 
locally, nationwide and globally at national nephrology conferences and 
events about patient engagement, overcoming adversity, and achieving 
goals. She also advises elected officials on the impact of legislative 
policies on people with chronic illnesses, and serves on multiple 
councils and boards in the renal field, including the National Quality 
Renal Forum and the Board of Directors for Kidney Care Partners. She is 
former chair of the Patient Advisory Committee for the Southern 
California Renal Disease Council and served on the Governor's 
Rehabilitation Council for the State of California.
   Ms. Hartwell's impressive work has not gone unnoticed as she has 
been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Kidney 
Registry's ``Patient Advocacy Award'' in 2010 and being named ``Woman 
of the Year'' in the 21st California Senate District by State Senator 
Jack Scott in 2005.
   Ms. Hartwell's remarkable efforts on behalf of those diagnosed with 
kidney disease, as well as her resilience in her own battle, speak for 
themselves. She is a steadfast community leader with a long record of 
dedicated service and an inspiration to all.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Lori 
Hartwell.

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