NxStage Home Hemodialysis Patient Awareness Tour Kicks Off January 29

LAWRENCE, Mass.—NxStage announced that NxStage patient advocate Jim Smith, 64, of Indianola, Wash., is beginning the first NxStage Home Hemodialysis Patient Awareness Tour of 2013 with a  four-week journey starting January 29.

The tour is designed to increase patient awareness of home hemodialysis and consists of Smith, along with his wife and care partner, Claire, making 16 scheduled stops at dialysis centers in Georgia and South Carolina.  Smith will speak with dialysis patients about the benefits of more frequent home hemodialysis and perform demonstrations with his NxStage System One.

Smith's journey with NxStage began in 2007.  Discouraged with how in-center treatment three  times a week impeded his work, travel and lifestyle, Smith researched other dialysis options and learned about home therapy with the System One.  After completing training with his care partner, he began dialyzing at home with the System One.

"I understand the challenges of life on dialysis firsthand, and look forward to meeting with other patients to share my experiences with more frequent home hemodialysis with the System One.  My goal is to help raise awareness and access to this life-changing therapy," said Smith.

"We're really excited to partner with Jim to increase patient awareness of our therapy," said Jeff Burbank, NxStage founder and CEO.  "This inspiring tour is a great venue to reach patients and share experiences as well as to demonstrate how therapy with our innovative and portable System One can help transform the quality of life for patients needing dialysis."   

For more information on Jim's journey with NxStage and the System One, visit, www.nxstage.com/homehemodialysis/patientstories/jim.

Smith receives a modest stipend from NxStage as well as reimbursement for travel expenses directly associated with these stops.