You have most likely been on a team at some time in your life. Playground games, sports, school clubs, and company work groups are just a few of the many teams you might know. And all of these teams have one thing in common: they start out with a shared goal.

It's easy to see how members of a football team or a work group share a goal. But what does this have to do with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Well, kidney disease is complex. You need a team of committed experts to help you manage it. The common goal for your team is to help you live well with kidney disease.

Depending on what kind of treatment you choose for your kidney failure, key players on your team might include:

• You
• Family/support people
• Primary care doctor
• Nephrologist
• Nurse/home training nurse
• Dietitian
• Social worker
• Dialysis technician

Did you notice that the first person on the team is YOU? Whether you know it or not, you are the leader of your health care team. All of the other people on your team come together at certain times and places to help you manage your kidney disease. But you are the one who is always there. And you are the one who knows you best!