Jennifer Matthews: George Jones has gambled with his life. He ignored his doctor's advice to take measures to keep his high blood pressure in check.

It took kidney failure for George to listen to doctors. Now, three days a week, for three and a half hours, he's hooked to a dialysis machine.

George Jones: I guess if it wasn't for dialysis, I wouldn't be here.

Jennifer Matthews: While dialysis keeps him alive, it has only about a tenth of the blood cleansing power of normal kidneys.

Dr. William Finn: And one of the big limitations of people on dialysis is that the dialysis machine doesn't take out the phosphorus as well as one might think.

Jennifer Matthews: Excess phosphorus can cause deadly bone and cardiovascular problems. A new drug Fosrenol allows phosphorus to pass through the body without being absorbed.

Dr. William Finn: Many of the patients don't object to taking it. It doesn't have some of the complications of other agents.

Jennifer Matthews: Study results show Fosrenol reduced death rates among patients by about half. George is one patient who has benefited.

George Jones: It has been very, very important to me to have medicines with me that help me and I think this new medicine might do the job.

Jennifer Matthews: This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.