Welcome to the PKD Foundation of Canada's March e-News! Here you will find information important to helping you take action in your journey with PKD. 

LEARN

Upcoming PKD Patient Forum in Quebec City

When:
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 from 6:00PM - 8:30PM

Read about this event in French.

We are hosting a FREE PKD Patient Forum in Quebec City! If you, your family or loved ones live in the area, join us and members of the local PKD community to learn more about PKD and what resources are available. 

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common life-threatening, genetic diseases affecting Canadians and can result in the growth of cysts that enlarge the affected kidney, limiting its ability to function.

• Learn about what a PKD diagnosis can mean for you or a loved one, as well as how PKD can be managed from Dr. Paul René de Cotret, Nephrologist, Université Laval;
• 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. Paul René de Cotret and Jeff Robertson; and,
• Meet other people living with PKD in your community.

Upcoming Ottawa Chapter Meeting: Cystic Renal Disease Centre of Excellence Panel Discussion

Date:
Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Time:
7:00PM - 9:00PM

Location:
Ottawa Carleton Dialysis Clinic
780 Baseline Road
Ottawa ON K2C 3V8

Speakers: Dr. Pierre Antoine Brown, Dr. Mohan Biyani, and Dr. Ayub Akbari

Meeting Details: The Ottawa Chapter presents the opportunity to hear from the three nephrologists who lead the brand new PKD clinic, the Ottawa Hospital Eastern Ontario Cystic Renal Disease Centre of Excellence! The doctors will share information about resources and services available at this state of the art clinic and answer your questions about PKD.

Check out this article from The Ottawa Hospital that highlights how access to multi-disciplinary expert care at this innovative clinic will improve patient care for those living in eastern Ontario and surrounding areas.

Ensure you are receiving all Ottawa Chapter updates by emailing us a request to add you to the Ottawa Chapter email list! You can also stay up to date by following the chapter on Facebook.

 

PKD Health Notes: Spring Clean Your Diet

Between March being National Kidney Month and the start of spring, there has never been a better time to get on the right track with your eating habits!

Check out these tips from our friends at the PKD Foundation US to “spring clean” your kidney diet.

 

Remember to consult your doctor or dietitian about what recipes and practices are best for you at your stage of PKD.

 

 

PKD-Friendly Recipes: Kidney-Smart Potato Salad

With warmer weather just around the corner, why not give this zesty potato salad a try?

This recipe includes simple tips on how to reduce the potassium content and we think it will be a hit at the many picnics and barbecues to come!

 

 

 

 

SUPPORT

National Kidney Month: There's Still Time to Donate!

As Kidney Month comes to an end, there's still time to show your support of the PKD Foundation of Canada's mission to promote programs of research, education, advocacy, support and awareness in an effort to discover treatments and an eventual cure for PKD.

Your donation directly impacts the lives of 66,000 Canadians and 12.5 million people worldwide affected by this disease.

Make your secure online donation today and help us end PKD.

New Date & Time: Upcoming Montreal Chapter Music Heals Benefit Concert

When:

Event Details: The 3rd annual Music Heals Benefit Concert will be held on the evening of Saturday, June 16! Presented by the Montreal Chapter and Sophisticada Productions, 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.

You will hear songs ranging from rock to opera and enjoy both modern and traditional performances from a variety of cultures. Don't miss this family-friendly concert at the iconic Theatre Rialto. 

Stay connected on social media for a full list of performers and to find out when you can purchase your tickets. Follow the PKD Foundation of Canada Facebook Page and Montreal Chapter Facebook Page.

AWARENESS

Save the Date: 2018 Bike to the Moon!

The PKD Foundation of Canada is proud to introduce our newest annual fundraising event, Bike to the Moon! This unique event, geared towards both casual and serious cyclists, takes place from June 22-25, 2018 in your own community and on your own route! 

Collectively, we aim to bike the distance to the moon (384,400 km) and raise critical funds for the Hereditary Kidney Disease Program at Toronto General Hospital.

Plan a solo ride or form a team and tell your friends and family that this June, you are biking to the moon!

Why Ride? PKD is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases affecting thousands in Canada. You can have an impact on all those affected by this disease by organizing a ride or by creating an online fundraising page where you can join others in the fight to end PKD!

If you are unable to ride this year, there is still a lot you can do to help! Volunteer to raise funds for Bike to the Moon by setting up a virtual donation page, or help promote awareness and education in your community. Learn more about how to spread the word here.

BLOG: PKD Will Not Beat Me - How to Be Your Own Advocate

In Valen's most recent blog post, she shares her top recommendations on how to cope with health issues and be a great patient advocate for yourself and others.

 

"Being a patient takes work and dedication. Depending on our health status, it can feel like a part-time to full-time job. It is a constant learning process and important to find a balance between our health challenges and everything else in life. We don’t want to get consumed by our appointments, our medical tasks and how we feel, but rather try to lead the best quality of life despite what we are going through."

 

Read the 5 tips that helped Valen along her patient journey.

 

You can find this post and others written by Valen here.

 

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.