April 2020 PKD e-News
April 2020
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.
Learn
Upcoming Webinar: Covid-19 and Transplant Patients- Your Questions Answered
COVID-19 is a serious health threat and the situation is evolving daily. In these uncertain times, it’s normal to feel anxious, especially for those with underlying health conditions. Talking to people you can trust and getting the information you need can help.
The Kidney Foundation, in collaboration with The Canadian Society of Nephrology, and the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program are proud to present this webinar, COVID-19 and Transplant Patients - Your Questions Answered.
This webinar will give you the opportunity to ask questions to some of Canada’s leading nephrologists and transplant specialists.
When: Wednesday April 29th, 2020
Time: 12:15 – 1:45 Eastern Time
Speakers: Dr. Mucsi, a clinician investigator and transplant nephrologist, Dr. Vikas S. Sridhar MD, FRCPC; and Dr. Deepali Kumar, a Professor of Medicine
Learn more or register here.
Top Five Mindfulness Tips for Healthcare Professionals During Covid-19
"There is no doubt that the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a high level of stress and distress, particularly among health care workers due to our unique role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. During a pandemic like this, our capacity to stay calm, present, and compassionate is more important than ever."
Learn more about Dr. Dzung Vo's top 5 mindfulness practices here!
Michael Coyle's Journey with PKD: Donor Found
"For those following along, back in 2017 I went public with my impending kidney failure due to polycystic kidney disease, and in June of 2019, at the prompting of my nephrologist and transplant team, I made an appeal for a kidney donor. Writing that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
What I can tell you now, and it kinda chokes me up to say this - I was overwhelmed by the response I received. In the months since I posted my appeal, friends, acquaintances, family and even strangers came forward to offer their kidneys to me. And of particular significance to me, the SAR community was particularly supportive. So many former and current SAR members came forward to be tested."
Read more about Michael's story here.
Grocery Shopping During a Pandemic
"We continue to get questions almost daily about grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic — everything from the importance of disinfecting the carts and baskets, to how best to practice physical distancing while shopping, and whether to disinfect everything you buy. Public health officials across the country have been consistent in their advice that people stay home as much as possible and therefore try to shop for groceries only once a week or less, and preferably alone (ie. don't bring the kids unless absolutely necessary).
CSN Covid-19 Rapid Review Program
This webinar was organized by the Canadian Society of Nephrology to field home and in-centre hemodialysis questions with Drs Zimmerman, Sororka and Suri.
- Presentation of covid-19
- Rapid renal response - home dialysis
- Rapid renal response- outpatient hemodialysis
- Q&A
You can watch the recording or download a PDF of the presentation here.
Kidney Chat with American Kidney Fund
Ask a Nephrologist about Covid-19
Did you miss the American Kidney Fund's latest discussion with nephrologist, Clarissa Tio? Dr. Tio answers patient questions about caring for those with kidney disease, dialysis treatments, transplants during COVID-19, and about quarantine.
You can watch the video here.
Awareness
April is BeADonor Month!
"April is BeADonor Month in Ontario! You can still help spread the word by sharing our graphics via your social media accounts.Each year, advocates, hospitals, first responders and more, come together throughout the province to help increase registration rates for organ and tissue donation in Ontario."
Visit our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find all of our posts made throughout April. you can also learn more about this campaign by visiting the Trillium Gift of Life Network website, here.
If you live in Ontario, you can learn more or register to become a donor here.
If you live outside of Ontario, you can learn more and register to become a donor here.
Green Shirt Day 2020
Register. Tell your family. Be inspired.The PKD Foundation of Canada and Canadians participated on April 7th by wearing a green shirts and posting on social media with the hashtags #LoganBouletEffect, #GreenShirtDay and #LightUpGreen to honour Logan’s legacy of selfless giving. Keep the “Logan Boulet Effect” going. Be inspired to wear green and spread the word about the powerful impact of organ donation.
Learn more about #GreenShirtDay by visitng our blog!
April 19-25 Celebrated National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week
During NOTDAW Canadians were encouraged to visit organtissuedonation.ca to register as organ and tissue donors during National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week. They were also reminded to have important conversations with loved ones about their organ donation wishes and to spread the word about the critical need for more donors.Canadians have a valuable role to play and are encouraged to join forces with health-care providers, governments and Canadian Blood Services to help us create a day when no one in Canada dies waiting for a transplant."
If you live in Ontario, to learn more or register to become a donor click here.
If you live outside of Ontario, you can learn more or register to become a donor here.
April 19-25 Celebrated National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) is dedicated to showing appreciation to volunteers for their commitment, effort, and irreplaceable impact throughout the year.THANK YOU to all of our wonderful volunteers who selflessly contribute their energy and passion. We wouldn't be where we are today without the hard work and dedication of volunteers like you. Thank you for the generous gifts of both your time and funds to help further our mission to end PKD.
Do you want to help make a difference in the lives of thousands across Canada and millions around the world? Sign up to join us in the fight to #EndPKD here!
SUPPORT
Support the PKD Foundation of Canada by Leaving a Future Gift
Your legacy gift will enable the PKD Foundation of Canada to create a powerful philanthropic legacy by making a direct impact on the advancement of critical Canadian research. If you have not had the ability to make a major gift during your lifetime, legacy giving can be meaningful source of funding from you.
A legacy gift is a gift by Will with lasting meaning and is the simplest way to create a legacy of everlasting hope. It is a future gift that will not cost anything during your lifetime, with no extra out-of-pocket costs and your income will not decrease.
You can learn more about planned giving by clicking here.
Wills and Bequests
Make a future gift of lasting support by remembering the PKD Foundation of Canada (PKDFOC) in your Will. A Bequest in your Will may be the biggest gift of your life, and has the power to change the lives of all affected by PKD for better. Help even more PKD patients look forward to a future of full recovery.This gift will not cost you anything during your lifetime, with no extra out-of-pocket costs and your income will not decrease. One of the benefits of making a Bequest is that your estate obtains a charitable tax receipt for the full amount received. Also, if stocks or real estate you left have appreciated in value, your gift may be exempt from capital gains.
You can learn more about bequests by clicking here.
Help People SEE ADPKD: Share Your Story Today!
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the world's most common, life-threatening genetic diseases. Your stories can help people paint a more powerful picture of PKD and the lives it affects.
Help give a voice to a widely unknown disease by sharing your story here.