Another milestone.
RECENTLY, while spring cleaning some old files, I realized that 2010 marks the 35th anniversary of the Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN). The CRN was founded in 1975 by an advisory group, and became one of the three professional councils recognized by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). What started as a small group of 25 renal dietitians has now grown to a membership of about 1700. The original mission statement of the CRN remains the core focus for ourorganization: ‘‘The CRN functions as a professional education council within the framework of the NKF and networks with other organizations to support the NKF’s goals of improving the lives of those with CKD through education, outreach, and research in the field of nutrition as it pertains to prevention, eradication, and treatment of kidney and urologic diseases.’’ What may have changed are the strategies we apply to achieve our purpose. In 2007, the CRN Executive Committee reexamined the mission statement of the CRN and further defined the overarching CRN’s goals. These goals were originally published in March 2008 in the Journal of Renal Nutrition, and were identified as follows: (1) Promote and encourage quality nutrition care of all patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). (2) Support the profession of the nephrology dietitian and promote professional education. (3) Develop and promote patient and public education.