Welcome to the PKD Foundation of Canada's October e-News! We have provided information important to helping you take action in your journey with PKD.

To view the e-News in French click here!

SUPPORT

Amazing!

A record-breaking Walk to END PKD!

The 2023 Walk to END PKD has not only been an inspiring and unforgettable event but has also broken all expectations. We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to your unwavering support and dedication, we have set a new fundraising record, raising an astonishing $211,395!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your enthusiasm, your countless steps, your creative fundraising efforts, and your tireless commitment have brought us to this significant moment. You are making a real difference in the lives of those affected by PKD, and we couldn't be more grateful for your support.

We invite you to take a moment to celebrate your hard work and generosity, that is helping to advance vital research and treatment options for PKD patients. Our unity and passion is bringing hope for those who face this challenging disease every day.

Mental Health

Look for webinars on PKD-specific mental health topics in 2024!

We’re excited to announce that in 2024, we will be expanding our webinars to focus monthly on mental health concerns often experienced by #PKD patients.

#PKDMindMatters will provide a safe space to have enriching discussions, ask questions, and connect with others who are sharing similar PKD journeys as you are. Click here to learn more about this new program, and watch for upcoming webinars in the new year!

Thank you!

Our donors make a difference every day

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, that encourages people to contribute to charitable causes and engage in acts of kindness on the Tuesday following American Thanksgiving.

We're so thankful for our many generous donors who help us in our mission to promote programs of research, advocacy, education, support, and awareness in order to discover treatments and a cure for PKD, and improve the lives of all it affects.

Our community knows the need, and in turn makes a huge impact. Thank you. We're here for you.

Click here if you want to make a difference, too.

LEARN

 

Kidney Nutrition

This month's blog post: Sugar and PKD

This month’s blog post Emily Campbell, a registered dietitian, writes about sugars and PKD. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, so what better way than to think about sugar sources and the connection with PKD? Emily also includes a recipe for a refreshing sparkling iced tea.

Recipe

A tasty, kidney-friendly kale and chickpea Caesar salad from Emily Campbell's PKD Summit midday demonstration!

Speaking of kidney-friendly recipes, this month we're also sharing another one of Emily's recipes, which she demonstrated at the PKD Summit on November 17. Watch for upcoming social media posts when her demo - as well as all of the other presentations from the Summit - become available on our YouTube channel!

In the meantime, enjoy this delicious kale and chickpea Caesar salad with homemade garlic dressing, which is sure to become a lunchtime favourite!

Webinar

Itchy? Sign up for our upcoming webinar on itching and PKD

We hope you can join us on Thursday, December 7 at 7pm EST for our FREE webinar, “Itching for New Therapies for Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP).” We will be hearing from Dr. Karthik Tennankore, MD, SM, FRCP. Click here to learn more about the topics that will be discussed, and to register.

On YouTube!

Our Vancouver PKD Patient Forum held on October 18, 2023, is now on YouTube!

Our Vancouver #PKD Patient Forum is now on YouTube! The forum was held on October 18, 2023, and Dr. Mike Bevilacqua talked about "PKD in 2023".

This information is useful to PKD patients and caregivers across Canada. Click on this link to watch it now!

Webinar

BC Renal is offering a free webinar on the topic of home dialysis

BC Renal is offering a FREE webinar on December 1 from 1pm-3pm Pacific Time for patients considering home dialysis. The webinar will answer questions about what home dialysis is, why a patient might choose home dialysis, and how it's done. Click here to register today!

AWARENESS

Voices of PKD

Nina Young, Orillia ON

This month's Voices of PKD comes from Nina, whose family has been profoundly affected by ADPKD. Nina has been on dialysis for more than seven years, and shares her honest yet inspiring journey through the ups and downs of life with PKD.

Participate

Share your feedback in the review of global guidelines for ADPKD

KDIGO (Kidney Disease | Improving Global Outcomes) is a global organization developing and implementing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in kidney disease. They are currently reviewing their new global guidelines for the evaluation, management and treatment of ADPKD, and are inviting stakeholders - including patients - to participate in the guideline review process.

If you'd like to participate in the review of these guidelines, the deadline for feedback has been officially extended to December 1, 2023. You can download the draft guidelines and submit your feedback on their website, here.

In the news

Media articles about kidney transplants

Our "In the News" stories this month coincidentally all have to do with kidney donors or kidney donation!

Hilary Baude, 41, just completed the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii this fall - swimming for 2.4 miles, cycling for 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles. And she did it all with one kidney. She's the first-ever kidney donor to compete in the Ironman championship. Read more about her amazing accomplishment here.

81 year-old Charlotte Markle of Wisconsin is one of the world’s longest-surviving kidney transplant recipients. Her transplant was over 57 years ago on March 2, 1966. Read more about her story here.

Finally, a B.C. woman, Shelley Hunt, is the subject of a documentary that has just been released about how she became a living organ donor. She hopes that her story will inspire others to step up and become registered organ donors. Read more here.