April 2019 PKD e-News
April 2019
Greetings!
Welcome to the PKD Foundation of Canada's April e-News! We have provided information important to helping you take action in your journey with PKD.
Awareness
The PKD Foundation of Canada to Exhibit at the 2019 Canadian Society of Nephrology Annual General Meeting
The Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) is a society of physicians and scientists specializing in the care of people with kidney disease, and in research related to the kidney and kidney disease.
Their vision is that all Canadians with or at risk of kidney disease will receive optimal patient-centered care and achieve best outcomes.
The CSN AGM is a wonderful opportunity for the PKD Foundation of Canada to promote our services and support measures provided to the PKD community on a national level, while connecting with nephrologists from all over the country to brainstorm how we can work together to better serve those affected by PKD.
We wish to thank the Canadian Society of Nephrology for giving us the opportunity to increase visibility of our organization on such a significant platform!
Voices of PKD: Monica Kee, Penetanguishene ON
"At Christmas time in 1995, I noticed that my sister's color was "off" and she said she had been experiencing some kidney and bladder issues, but was seeing a doctor so hopefully everything would turn out OK. At the time, our father was quite ill. He passed away in the spring of 1996. That is when we learned that Martha had kidney disease. At that time, we were not aware of the full impact it would have on her life. Sometime after that, she started dialysis and while she looked a whole lot better, it had a huge impact on her life."
Read Monica's full story, which details how three family members donated kidneys to three other family members, here. It is truly an incredible story showing the powerful impact of living kidney donation!
Support
Upcoming Montreal Chapter Event - Music Heals Benefit Concert
When:
Sunday, May 26 2019
Doors open at 1:30pm
Show starts at 2:30pm
Where:
Théâtre Rialto
5723 Avenue du Parc
Montréal, QC H2V 4G9
The 4th Annual Music Heals Benefit Concert will be held on the evening of Sunday, May 26! Presented by the Montreal Chapter and Cathy Pimentel, this special fundraising event is a fantastic opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of up-and-coming artists and accomplished performers from across Montreal, while also supporting critical Canadian PKD research. Don't miss this family-friendly concert at the iconic Théâtre Rialto .
To purchase your tickets, click here !
Stay connected on social media and find out about the performers on the Montreal Chapter Facebook Page !
Ensure you are receiving all Montreal Chapter updates by emailing us a request to add you to the Montreal Chapter email list!
2019 Bike to the Moon - Registration is OPEN!
Bike to the Moon is an annual PKD Foundation of Canada global bikeathon. Collectively, we aim to bike the distance to the moon (384,400 km) and raise funds for critical Canadian PKD research!
Last year, more than 40 Bike to the Moon participants across Canada traveled over 4,000km and raised over $25,000 for the world-class Hereditary Kidney Disease Program at Toronto General Hospital!
You can have an impact on those affected by this disease! Join the PKD community by creating an online fundraising page where you can join others in the fight to end PKD through interactive message boards and photos!
Click here to register and start fundraising today!
Save the Date: 2nd Annual Golf to END PKD in Hamilton, ON
This fun event will be held at Dragon's Fire Golf Club in scenic Flamborough (Hamilton), Ontario. The goal for the day is to have fun and share some laughs, all while we unite to raise awareness and funds for critical Canadian research through the PKD Foundation of Canada. The format of the day will be a 4-person team scramble with some other unique twists and advantages to make the day enjoyable for all skill levels.
Register as a foursome for only $650, which includes practice range, 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, dinner and prizes! For those who would like to participate as a single, that can easily be done for $175 and we will get you paired up with other players making it stress-free for you.
Bring your friends, family and co-workers out for this incredible event and help make a difference in the lives of the PKD community while having a great time!
For more information on this event, click here .
Learn
Upcoming Vancouver PKD Patient Forum - June 13 2019
When: Thursday, June 13 2019 at 6pm-8:30pm
Where: Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, Ambleside Room
Guest Speakers: Dr. Mike Bevilacqua + Jeff Robertson
Patients and their loved ones are invited to join this forum to:
- Learn about what a PKD diagnosis can mean for you or a loved one, as well as how PKD can be managed from Dr. Bevilacqua, MD, FRCPC, MHA, CHE. Nephrologist; Fraser Health Authority, BC Renal Agency and Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Nephrology at UBC
- Hear about what resources and support systems are available to you and your loved ones from Jeff Robertson, Executive Director, PKD Foundation of Canada;
- Have your questions answered during a Q&A period led by Dr. Bevilacqua and Jeff Robertson; and,
- Meet other people living with PKD in your community.
Please note that registration will begin at 6:00pm and the presentation will start at 6:30pm sharp!
Light food and beverages will be served.
For more information, visit the event page on our website here .
Drone Delivers Human Organ For Transplant For the Very First Time
The University of Maryland School of Medicine teamed up with the engineering school to successfully deliver a kidney to surgeons using a drone.
From West Baltimore, a drone carrying a human organ launched. It landed 2.8 miles away at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
This first voyage of its kind has the potential to revolutionize the organ transplant process. “This will have a direct impact on improving patient outcomes where time is critical,” said Dr. E. Albert Reece, dean of the medical school.
You can watch the video here .
Back to an Active Retirement After Kidney Donation
Looking at Steve Wimperly's life now, you would never guess he's donated a kidney.
Steve's in his sixties and enjoying an active retirement in Vancouver. On a regular basis, he skis, plays guitar in a couple of rock bands, and along with his wife, Tracey, looks after their young grandson, often going swimming together. In November 2018, he put all of that on hold when he had surgery to donate one of his kidneys.
He wasn't sure how quickly he would recover. At the very least, he was told it would take eight weeks. At two months, he was back to doing all the things he loves to do, and at four months he told us, "I can honestly say that other than the scar, I don't feel any different than before the surgery."
Read the full story here .
2019 PKD in Children Conference
Join the U.S. PKD Foundation as they host the 2019 PKD in Children Conference.
This is an excellent opportunity to receive essential information on managing your child’s health while living with polycystic kidney disease.
When: May 3-5, 2019
Where: Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago
At the conference you can:
- Connect with other parents and caregivers
- Attend sessions that will provide vital knowledge about ADPKD and ARPKD in children
- Learn from and interact with disease experts
Working for a cure,
Your Friends at the PKD Foundation of Canada
Every gift - no matter the size - can make a difference in the fight against PKD. Please consider making a donation today.