Richard A. Bloch was born in Kansas City , Missouri and attended the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics at the youthful age of 19.  

After graduation, Bloch joined his older brother, Henry, in the formation of a bookkeeping and tax preparation company. They started a new company in 1955 specializing in tax preparation, H&R Block, Inc. Today H&R Block operates more than 9,000 offices worldwide and prepares over 10 million income tax returns annually.  

In 1978, Richard was told he had terminal lung cancer with three months to live. Refusing to accept this prognosis, he went to a major comprehensive cancer center, where, after two years of aggressive therapy, he was told he was cured. However, little did he know that the chemotherapy that once saved his life would again test his fate.  

In 1997, a test result from his routine yearly exam came back indicating Richard was headed towards kidney failure. During his visit with a nephrologist, Richard was informed that the chemotherapy may have caused kidney damage. Right away, he changed his diet, cut out salt and exercised regularly. Richard continued feeling weaker and weaker and his nephrologist told him that he would have to begin dialysis. 

Richard applied the same determination he used to fight cancer to battle kidney disease. Initially, Richard was put on hemodialysis, a form of dialysis that uses a dialyzer machine to clear waste from the blood. At first, Richard was hesitant to try dialysis because of the time investment and inconvenience. In fact, while on a weeklong vacation, Richard’s family had to drive him four hours on three separate occasions to the nearest dialysis center to receive treatment.  

Richard continued on hemodialysis for several months while recuperating from having a catheter inserted and then from hernia surgery. “It wasn’t a nuisance,” says Richard. “Although, I did have a rigid diet and was tired a lot.” Richard passed the time as many others do, by reading a book, sleeping or having lunch with his wife.  

Richard found it hard to locate a dialysis center during his busy schedule. Richard spoke with his physician about possible options and learned about peritoneal dialysis (PD), a form of dialysis treatment that is performed at home and on the patient’s schedule. PD uses the body’s abdominal lining as a natural filter so blood never leaves the body. With PD, Richard has the capability to travel and maintain his active lifestyle while continuing with his dialysis. Richard uses automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), which is performed nine hours at night while he sleeps. 

“The only adjustment I had to make was going to bed earlier if I had an early morning meeting,” explains Richard. His diet is also unrestricted. “With PD I can hook myself up - it is delightful. I don’t have a complaint in the world.” 

Richard feels it is very important to have open communication between patient and doctor. When he has questions about his treatment or medications, he asks his nephrologist or the staff at the dialysis center.

“Get all the knowledge you can get, you need to educate yourself about the different treatment options,” says Richard. “There is more than one option out there. Ask your doctor which one is right for you.”  

Richard sold his interest in H & R Block, Inc. and retired from the company to devote his time to his health and family. Along with his wife Annette, Richard has received several awards including Coping Magazine’s 1995 Hero Award for Lifetime Achievement. Annette, his wife of 57 years, is also his biggest support system.  

Richard divides his time between Palm Springs, CA and Kansas City, MO, with Annette. They have three daughters - Barbara, Nancy and Linda, and 10 grandchildren.  

Do you want to know more about peritoneal dialysis? Call AAKP’s National Office at (800) 749-2257.

This article originally appeared in the January 2004 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 19, No. 4.

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