Celeste Lee, Chairperson
Celeste's multiple memberships in kidney disease organizations keep her busy as an advocate in North Carolina. With memberships with the North Carolina Task Force on Chronic Kidney Disease, the Vasculitis Foundation of NC, and as a public speaker for the Carolina Donor Services, Celeste speaks out on critical issues related to kidney health and outcomes for people on dialysis. She is the Chief of Staff for the President & CEO for Duke University Health Systems, and Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University, and serves on the NKF’s People Like Us Steering Committee, and the NKF Public Policy Committee. Celeste received a non-living transplant in 1986 which chronically rejected in 1995. She is currently on in-center hemodialysis but was also on peritoneal dialysis for 10 years.
Duane Sunwold, Past Chairman
Chef and culinary instructor for over 25 years, Duane is interested and involved in dietary changes to improve kidney function and quality of life. He serves on the NKF's People Like Us Steering Committee and has actively volunteered with the National Kidney Foundation on many initiatives for several years now. Based on adherence to his nephrologist's health plan and strict dietary recommendations, Duane has succeeded in improving his kidney function, while maintaining a varied and satisfying diet.
Laura Weber
Laura is the Vice President, Sales for eScreen Inc., a company that seeks to improve corporate hiring practices. Now serving her second term on the NKF Patient and Family Council Executive Committee, Laura also serves on the NKF’s People Like Us Steering Committee, the Board of Directors for the Foundation for IgA Nephropathy and is a moderator for a Web site dedicated to providing education and support to patients and family members living with IgA Nephropathy. In her spare time she volunteers for the California Transplant Donor Network and the National Kidney Foundation, Northern California Chapter. She received a kidney transplant in 2005.
Norma Knowles, LCSW
Norma is a clinical social worker who's worked in nephrology for 10 years, and five years in the area of hospice prior to that. She has a long family history of kidney disease due to hereditary FSGS. Norma's father received a living-related transplant from his mother in 1967 which lasted seven years, and her brother had a living related transplant which is still working in it's 12th year. Norma had a living related transplant in 1998 from her cousin, which chronically rejected in 2006. Previously treated with in-center hemodialysis, she is currently on home hemodialysis using NxStage, allowing her to spend more time with her husband and four children. Active with NKF's Council of Nephrology Social Workers and editor for the Journal of Nephrology Social Work, Norma is a strong advocate for promoting patients' quality of life.
Merribeth Pentasuglia
Merribeth is a Grants Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service an organization that supports volunteers in communities across the United States. She is a member of the NKF's People Like Us, and DaVita Patient Citizens, Philadelphia, as well an active advocate for individuals with disabilities, and has served as a patient advocate for various centers. Merribeth received her first successful transplant in 1997 that subsequently rejected in 2001. On in-center hemodialysis from 2001-2004, in 2004 she began training for short duration daily hemodialysis. In 2005, she switched to 6-day a week nocturnal treatments.
Todd Theobald
Since 2004, Todd has been an active participant in his monthly transplant support group held in Orlando, Florida, regularly recruiting additional participants from the community. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 4, Todd uses the power of positive thinking and a strong faith to overcome daily obstacles. Speaking out about organ donation, kidney disease, diabetes and the 26 million Americans who have the disease, Todd urges early diagnosis and testing, and especially the importance of taking control of your own health and remaining optimistic regardless of circumstances. He has been featured on seven local radio stations and is still working on the local news stations. Todd owns two business and is very active in both. He is in the process of being listed for a kidney transplant.
