News
March 31, 2017

March 2017 PKD e-News

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LEARN

Upcoming FREE PKD Patient Forums in Halifax and St. John's
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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. Steven Soroka, Nephrologist, Nova Scotia Health Authority;
  • 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. Soroka and Jeff Robertson; and
  • Meet other people living with PKD in your community.

All are welcome to attend! Click here for details and to secure your place.

 

Upcoming Toronto Chapter Meeting
Topic: Healthy Cooking for PKD Patients and Their Familiescooking1.jpg
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2017  
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Place: Chef Maxine Knight's Food Studio, 510 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A5
 
Hosted by Chef Matan Volach, this cooking class will feature recipes for kidney disease stages 1-3 and information for patients in stages 4 and 5, as well as kidney transplant donors and recipients.
To register for this cooking class, complete with tastings, click here. 

 

AWARENESS

PKDFOC Holds 2nd PKD Advocacy Day at Queen's ParkQP_2017_1_crop.jpg
On March 29th, Foundation staff, Board of Directors, nephrologists and patient advocates met with key stakeholders and Members of Provincial Parliament to advocate for public access and funding for ADPKD treatments. It was a meaningful opportunity to influence and engage Canadian policymakers to raise awareness of PKD, and to work towards securing government support for research, treatments and educational initiatives.

 

 

April is BeADonor Month for Ontario Residents!

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This year's theme for BeADonor Month is "Check Your Status". As many as 1.8 million Ontarians mistakenly think they are registered organ and tissue donors. Are you one of them? Check your status now at beadonor.ca/PKDFoundationofCanada. 
 
Click here to find out how to become an organ donor in each province.

 

 

SUPPORT

PKDFOC Launches New Podcast: PKD Talks

PKD_Talks_Logo_(002).pngWe are very excited to share the pilot episode of our brand new PKD podcast, PKD Talks. 

Hear from Hurricane Harrison's father, Jarrett, about what it's like having a child with a chronic disease. We're always looking for more people to share their journey, so if you want be in an episode of PKD Talks, let us know! Listen to episode 1.

 

 

Upcoming Hamilton Chapter Fundraiser: HOPe for a Cure
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2017HOPe_for_a_Cure_2017.jpg
Time: 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Place: The Spice Factory, 121 Hughson St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1G7

Join us at HOPe for a Cure to raise money in support of the PKD Foundation of Canada's mission to fund critical Canadian research into PKD! 

This family-friendly night on the town will include:

  • Live swing era music by the Jumpin' Jive Band.
  • Lindy hop swing dance lesson care of The Hammer Hoppers.
  • A fantastic silent-auction.

Limited tickets available: $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Purchase your tickets online here.

  

Upcoming Montréal Chapter Fundraiser: Music Heals

Montreal_QC_FR.pngDate: Sunday, May 28, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Place: Rialto Theatre, 5723 Av du Parc, Montréal, QC H2V 4G9

The PKD Foundation of Canada - Montréal Chapter proudly presents the 2nd annual Music Heals benefit concert in support of critical Canadian research for PKD. Talented artists from Montréal will perform a variety of musical genres and ethnic groups will reveal the beauty of their heritage through song and dance.

For more information, visit the event page. View in French here.

 

PKD Advocate Video: Meet Elyse Gawley

 

New Blog Post: PKD Will Not Beat Me - To have or not to have kidsvalen-cover-keefer.jpg

"Some people dream of having kids from a young age; they know how many children they want and plan their pregnancies accordingly. Others may become pregnant unexpectedly or may choose an independent lifestyle with no children. Then there are people whose lives and health lead them down a path where childbearing isn't possible or maybe just isn't meant to be. I fall into the latter category and I'm at peace with this because it is ok to be different and not conform to a standard."  Read the full post.

 

PKD Will Not Beat Me is an inspirational place for those seeking a positive environment to meet others with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) - to share stories, to ask questions and to make life-long friendships, encouraging each other to live positively along the way! PKD Will Not Beat Me is written by PKD patient and transplant recipient Valen Keefer.