S1E3: I Wish I Knew How Kidney Disease Could Impact My Mental Health, with Emmitt Henderson III

In this episode of The Kidney Collective™, Tamara and Mike welcome Emmitt Henderson III, a passionate advocate for lupus awareness. Emmitt discusses his personal journey with lupus and kidney disease, the challenges he faced, and the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support. He dives into the creation of his nonprofit organization, Male Lupus Warriors, recounts his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and emphasizes how critical it is to participate in clinical trials.Born in the Philippines and raised in San Diego, Emmitt was diagnosed with lupus in 1995 after years of undiagnosed symptoms. Despite facing severe health challenges, including chemotherapy, a kidney transplant and organ failures, he stayed active in the automotive industry. Through Male Lupus Warriors, Emmitt raises awareness of lupus, particularly among men, and promotes a positive mindset, proper care and support. His work has earned him multiple honors, including the Gibson Lupus ARC King title in 2020 and the Advocacy Trailblazer Award from the State of Georgia in 2024.To find out more about Emmitt's advocacy work and upcoming local events, follow along on Instagram at @malelupuswarrior1. Emmitt is also currently in need of a living kidney donor. For more information, please visit his website here.More resources:Mental health and kidney diseaseClinical trials for kidney diseaseLooped in on LupusCommunity ResourcesMixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast