Renal Dialysis wins Rep. Scott Fitzgerald’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Wisconsin’s Fifth District

Rep. Fitzgerald has named Rachel Sun, a 11th grader at Brookfield Academy, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Wisconsin’s Fifth District.

When asked what inspired the creation of Renal Dialysis, the student said, “The inspiration behind the creation of the “Renal Dialysis” app is deeply intertwined with a profoundly personal connection to a beloved family member, my grandmother. Witnessing her journey and the challenges she faced while undergoing dialysis treatment significantly fueled the drive to make a difference not only in her life but also in the lives of countless individuals who find themselves in similar circumstances.

My grandmother’s battle with kidney failure highlighted the struggles that many seniors face when dealing with such a critical health condition. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity served as a daily source of inspiration. However, it also underscored the complexities and uncertainties inherent to the management of kidney health. The frequent hospital visits, the demanding treatment regimen, and the continuous need for rigorous monitoring placed a significant burden on her and the family.

Through this intimate experience, the recognition of the enormous resource demands on the healthcare system and the patients themselves became increasingly evident. The idea of a user-friendly app that could provide a seamless and effective solution to these issues began to take shape.

My grandmother’s journey with dialysis illuminated the need for an innovative tool that could empower not only her but also countless other patients to actively engage in their care. The goal was to create an application that could serve as a trusted companion, offering not only constant monitoring and diagnosis but also a bridge to facilitate communication with her healthcare providers.

The “Renal Dialysis” app represents a heartfelt commitment to improving the quality of life for patients like my grandmother and their families. It is a testament to the desire to ease the burden on patients and provide them with a sense of control over their health.

In a broader sense, the app stands as a tribute to her strength and the strength of all those individuals battling kidney failure. It embodies the hope for a more compassionate and supportive healthcare system that acknowledges the challenges faced by patients and endeavors to make their journey more manageable. The vision of the “Renal Dialysis” app is deeply rooted in the love and dedication to creating a positive impact in the lives of patients, inspired by the resilience and courage of my grandmother.”

This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.


The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from Omidyar Network, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2024, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.