June 2024 issue | PKD e-News
Welcome to the June e-News from the PKD Foundation of Canada! This month we have information on choosing kidney-healthy foods when eating out, reflections on mental health and PKD, upcoming PKD events, and more!
Save the Date!
Our signature fundraising event, the Walk to END PKD, will be here before you know it! Save the date to attend the in-person Walk near you!
- Sept 8 - Halifax, NS
- Sept 8 - Guelph, ON
- Sept 14 - Calgary, AB
- Sept 15 - Ottawa, ON
- Sept 22 - Montreal, QC
- Sept 22 - Vancouver, BC
- Sept 29 - Toronto, ON
In the News!
Eric Hampel was recently featured in the Fort Erie Observer, which published an article about his upcoming attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for PKD.
Eric's mother, Barb, and his Aunt Carolyn Nagel were also recently in the Fort Erie Observer, when they shared their heartwarming kidney transplant stories. (Both women have received kidney transplants in the past year.)
Gift Announcement!
We are excited to announce that the PKD Foundation of Canada is receiving $7,000 from the first annual Window Film Canada Golf Tournament, which was held at the Century Pines Golf Course in Troy, ON, on May 31.
Their support greatly advances our mission to combat PKD, and brings hope to many. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Eating Out with PKD
This time of year is filled with celebrations, which often include food. You may be wondering how to manage your PKD and still attend these events.
In this month’s blog, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Emily Campbell will review some things to consider, and foods you can include in your celebrations.
Kidney Donor Resources
After our recent webinar on the topic of living kidney donation, we compiled a list of resources for living kidney donors and potential transplant recipients, to help inform you about the living kidney donation process.
Canadian Blood Services resources
Let's Talk About Transplant!
Do you wish that you could talk about kidney transplantation with others who understand what you're going through?
Our June PKD Mind Matters Chat will give members of our community the chance to talk with one another about kidney donation and transplant, in an informal online meeting.
Tuesday, June 25 at 7pm EDT
The Big Tell III
Are you a PKD patient seeking a living kidney donor?
Are you hesitant to talk about your need for a kidney, or to ask your circle of family or friends about kidney donation, due to the fear of "asking too much"?
Join the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) for an empowering and informative webinar that could change your life!
Wednesday, June 19 at 6:30pm EDT
Register by emailing [email protected]
Voices of PKD
"My name is Clayton Rafuse, and I first shared my story with the PKD community in August 2021. My father Pete had PKD, and passed away in March of 2020."
The variety of experiences within the PKD community includes the experience of caregivers like Clayton Rafuse.
His father had PKD, and Clayton became his father's principal caregiver as his father neared the end of his life.
Clayton first shared his story with us in 2021, and recently he felt moved to share an update about his own PKD journey, with the hope that his story will resonate with other children of people with PKD.
Mental Health & PKD
The PKD Foundation in the U.S. publishes a free quarterly magazine called PKD Life.
In their Spring 2024 issue, they included a thoughtful article about the impact of PKD on the mental health of patients and caregivers.
PKD Peer Support Group
Did you know that the Kidney Foundation of Canada has a monthly peer support group for the PKD community?
They are now collaborating with the PKD Foundation of Canada to provide this support for patients, caregivers and living organ donors.
To attend these sessions you will need to register through the KFOC website.
You can see the monthly schedule of meetings here.
Pre-registration is required for the meetings. Email [email protected] or phone 1-866-390-7337. Once you’ve registered, guidelines and call details will be provided to access the meeting.
Caregiver Research
Have you been a caregiver to a patient with kidney transplant loss?
The McGill University Health Centre is doing research into the experience of those who have supported a loved one who experienced the loss of a kidney transplant.
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PKD Educational and support resources such as our monthly e-News are made possible through the generous support of donors and sponsors. Please consider making a donation today.