Fifty-eight-year-old Ellis Robertson works in the construction business. His specialty: carpentry, although Ellis can work in virtually any area of construction since he’s been in the business since graduating from high school.

Ellis is exceedingly popular among his friends and peers, and often hosts football parties at his house, much to the chagrin of his wife, Lynn.

In 1997 Ellis was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension and was encouraged to restrict his diet.

In 2006, Ellis starting having shortness of breath and flu-like symptoms. He decided against mentioning his symptoms to his wife since he didn’t want to scare her. He also knew she’d send him to a doctor, a trip he truly dreads.

One evening as he was watching a ball game, he began to feel faint and then passed out—and awoke the next morning in the hospital. The attending nephrologist—Ralph Williams, MD—told Ellis his kidneys were failing and arranged dialysis treatment for him at the Hope Street Dialysis Center.

Ellis finds himself in a very delicate position in his life right now. He is confused and frightened and has many questions: will I live, does dialysis work, how do I have to change my lifestyle, can I continue to work, how do I pay for treatment?

Hope Street will address these issues—and the ways that Ellis, Lynn, and the Hope Street Dialysis Center’s patients and health care professionals deal with them.

Meet the rest of the characters of Hope Street.