Let s walk for kidney health and organ donation awareness

Transcription

1 Health info Patient services available at the Foundation Kidney-Link Volume 20 No 1 Spring 2009 Quebec Branch Newsletter 2009 Door-to-Door Campaign Chapter news and Expedition to Mont Blanc... 6 and 7 Research Patient services National Donor Recognition Ceremony.. 11 Let s walk for kidney health and organ donation awareness On September 21, 2008, hundreds of people took part in The Kidney Foundation Walks held simultaneously in Montréal, Trois-Rivières and Québec City. These walks raised a total of $66,000. The Kidney Foundation of Canada gratefully acknowledges the generous participation of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for their sponsorship of $10,000, and all our dedicated walkers. Thank you for sharing our vision of kidney health and improved lives for all people affected by kidney disease. We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 walk to be held on May 24. For more information, please call us at 1 (800) or visit our Website at ON may 24 The foundation of kidney care

2 President s message The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Québec Branch, is pleased to welcome Miklos Fulop, as Executive Director. Miklos brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Foundation. He held positions such as General Manager of the World Federation of Haemophilia, and was Executive Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Society s Québec Branch for many years. By the same token we thank Guy Langlois, Miklos predecessor, for his many years of dedication and his significant contribution to the Kidney Foundation. We extend him our best wishes of success in his new career. The Kidney Foundation is celebrating its 45 th anniversary. Since its creation in 1964, the Foundation has contributed over $80 million to kidney research, and has offered services to thousands of people living with kidney disease. To ensure that these vital programs continue the Québec Branch has adopted a strategic plan. This strategic plan came about through collaboration with many of the Foundation s volunteers and staff. Together they have joined forces to share their ideas on how to boost the Foundation s outreach among various public groups. Without the very precious assistance provided by these volunteers, all of this would not have been possible. We would thus like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support. Annual general meeting The Québec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada will hold its annual general meeting from May 1 to 3, 2009 at Hôtel Chicoutimi, located on 460 rue Racine Est in Chicoutimi. You must register before April 2 nd, Please contact Jocelyne Renaud at the Foundation; or 1 (800) MARCH 12 IS WORLD KIDNEY DAY AMAZING KIDNEYS ARE YOURS HEALTHY? World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of our kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. The campaign is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March in more than 100 countries on 6 continents. The 2009 campaign highlights the importance of high blood pressure as one of the main symptoms and causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Each year millions of people die prematurely due to kidney failure or heart attacks, and cardiovascular accidents (strokes) related to CKC. WKD encourages everyone to learn more about their amazing kidneys and become more aware that kidney disease is common, and treatable. 2 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 Together we can make a difference

3 Long-Standing Support from La Fraternité des policiers de Laval Members of La Fraternité des policers de Laval leaving for the children s camp. La Fraternitée des policiers de Laval s involvement with our cause started in Since then and through their traditional Spaghetti and Pizza Day, they have raised over $998,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada. This impressive amount has been used to operate a specialized summer camp, providing a chance, each year for nearly 60 children with kidney disease or who have undergone a transplant to spend a one-week dream vacation, under the supervision 2009 Door-to-Door Campaign This March, join our movement to fight kidney disease! The Kidney Foundation s door-to-door campaign runs throughout the whole month of March Kidney Health Month and flows into April. Across the province, thousands of volunteers brave the cool March weather to raise funds and awareness of kidney health issues. Volunteers are always needed for this huge campaign and your financial support at the door and online is appreciated. If you wish to join our March Movement this year and help make special things happen in the kidney community these are the participating regions: From March 1 to 31; Baie-Comeau - contact Jacinthe Gagné, (418) Objective: $10,000: Rimouski contact Ghislaine Caron, (418) Objective: $50,000 From March 1 to April 15; Saguenay contact Nathalie Saulnier, (418) Objective: $95,000 Mr. Miklos Fulop, Executive Director, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Quebec Branch, Mr. André Potvin, President, La Fraternité des policiers de Laval, Mr. Francis Voyer, Vice-President, La Fraternité des policiers de Laval, Dr. Marie-José Clermont, paediatric nephrologist, Head of Nephrology at the CHU Sainte-Justine and Mrs. Nathalie Marchand, nurse at the CHU Sainte-Justine. of doctors and nurses. This year, the camp was held in St-Alphonse-de-Rodriguez during the week of August 11. We thank all the volunteers who contributed to the event and helped make this achievement possible. March ; Chibougamau contact Hélène Arseneault, (418) Objective: $6,000 End of March to early April; Abitibi contact Lévi Trottier, (819) Objective: $50,000 From April 4 to 19 Outaouais - Objective: $28,000 Centre-du-Québec - Objective: $22,000 Thetford Mines - Objective: $13,000 Rivière-du-Loup - Objective: $8,500 Québec City South Shore Objective to come For all those regions, contact Maryse Néron, (418) Montréal contact Richard Chénier, (514) Objective: $50,000 Please note that in the Fall 2009, the following regions will also be holding a door-to-door campaign: Beauce, Sept-Îles, Québec City North Shore and in the Eastern Townships. Your donation goes a long way at the Foundation Le Kidney-Link Spring

4 Chapter news ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE From July 24 to 26 the Amos Rotary Expo sponsored an information and education booth which was supervised by Normand Lemieux a resource nurse for organ and tissue donations in Section 8. Over 20,000 attended the 2008 Salon de la Santé exhibit. We would like to thank the two volunteers who manned the information booth for the Kidney Foundation: Gaytane Trudel and Lucille Dufour Plamondon. Mr. Denis Marquis, Executive Committee Member of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Mrs. Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, government of Québec and Mr. Sylvain Thibault, Board Member of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Mrs. Gaytane Trudel and Mrs. Lucie Plamondon Dufour. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS The traditional Jean-Jacques Bégin oyster party was held on October 10 at the Centre Julien Ducharme in Sherbrooke. More than 200 guests attended the event, raising a total of $20,000. Mr. Alain Gagnon, Mrs. Angèle Labbaie, Mr. Miklos Fulop, Executive Director, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Québec Branch, Mr. Rénald Belisle, member of the organizing committee, Mrs. Francine Guarnaccia and Mr. Clément Baker, Chairman of the event. 4 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 We're behind you all the way

5 Chapter news METROPOLITAN-MONTRÉAL Gala in honour of Dr. Marcel R. Lebel On November 26, several representatives from the business and medical world took part in The Annual Founder`s Award Gala, the closing event of the Founder s Award Campaign. The 2008 Campaign was Chaired by Luciano D Ignazio, CA, partner at Schwartz Levitsky Feldman and the Honoray Chaimanship was assumed by Tony Loffreda, Regional Vice-President for Commercial Financial Services, RBC Royal Bank, Québec West. Through their leadership and the dedication of each and every member of the Campaign Cabinet, $800,000 was raised. The 2008 Founder s Award recipient; to Dr. Marcel R. Lebel, was recognized, in part, for his research and leadership in the area of arterial hypertension and his initiative to establishing the first research laboratory on hypertension and nephrology in Québec. The Founder s award campaign Mr. Tony Loffreda, Dr. Marcel R. Lebel and Mr. Luciano D Ignazio. Golf Tournament The 10 th edition of the Founder s Award Campaign s Golf Tournament was held on September 15 at Royal Montréal Golf Club. With the participation of 288 players and the support of numerous sponsors, $130,000 was raised, making this event the most successful to date! The Kidney Foundation wishes to honour all golfers and sponsors for their generosity, and extends its warmest thanks to them. Their ongoing support will assist the Foundation in improving the quality of life of all those affected by kidney disease. Mr. Luciano D'Ignazio, Campaign Chairman, Mr. Tony Loffreda, Campaign Honorary President and Mr. Miklos Fulop, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Québec Branch. Save the date... Door-to-door Campaign: Begins March 1, 2009 World Kidney Day: Saturday, Mar ch 12, 2009 National Organ and Tissue donation awareness week: from April 19 to 26, 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Kidney Foundation, Québec Branch: May 1 to 3, 2009 Spaghetti & Pizza Day: Sunday, May 3 r d, 2009 Organized by the Laval Police and to be held at the Hôtel Sheraton in Laval. Your support will be greatly appreciated! Golf Tournaments; - Québec City: Friday, May 29, Outaouais: Friday, June 12, 2009 Kidney-Walk: Sunday, May 24, 2009 Please note that this year s Kidney Foundation walk will be held on May 24 and will be take place imultaneously in Montréal, Québec and Trois-Rivières. Information: or 1(800) Together we can make a difference Kidney-Link Spring

6 partnership events 2008 Expedition to Mont Blanc to promote living donor kidney transplants Dr. Michel R. Pâquet and Steve Gannon. For those affected by kidney disease, a transplant from a living donor has a lot of advantages and currently represents one of the best possible solutions. In Québec, fifty living donor kidney transplants are performed annually, representing one out of five transplants. This rate is much lower than in other Canadian provinces however, where half of transplants come from a living donor. In order to make people more aware of the advantages of this type of transplant and to illustrate how a kidney donor could continue leading a very normal life and accomplish personal pursuits far beyond the reach to many, we organized a mountain climbing expedition in June last year. The goal of these 14 mountaineers was to climb one of the highest peaks in Europe. One member of this group was Steve Gannon, who had donated a kidney to his brother. Being a transplant nephrologist at the Notre-Dame Hospital (CHUM), I decided to participate in this project. Along with us in the group were 12 outdoor and mountain enthusiasts who we met up at the base of Mont- Blanc in Chamonix, France on June 11, Although the summit had not been reached because of bad weather, to me this climb was still a great success. Given our preparation, determination and exertion, each group member including Steve had surpassed all expectations. With this we were allowed able to raise a total sum of $19,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada s organ donation committee. With the amount we remitted they would be able to continue their work and increase the number of living donor kidney transplants in Québec. I sincerely hope that this expedition will help make more people aware of the important benefits of transplants. In a very admirable way Steve showed us how a healthy person can donate a kidney and continue living a full and active life thereafter. Bravo Steve and many thanks to the entire Mont- Blanc 2008 team! We also extend a very special thanks to Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. for their logistic support. Michel R. Pâquet Nephrologist Hôpital Notre-Dame du CHUM René Parent s 400 km Challenge! What a success, even though it had its share of rain. During the walk, precipitation in the Northeast United States reached levels 75% higher than normal. For me this meant 18 days of rain, out of a total of 22 days of walking. The paths were flowing with mud and water, leaving my boots and equipment continually soaked. This made the trip even more difficult than expected, but luckily I received several encouraging messages. They were a great source of motivation and helped me finish my walk. We were pleasantly surprised and really appreciated all the support that came from family, friends and colleagues, as well as the media and public. We are very proud to announce that we raised a total of $10,000, an amount that was well beyond our expectations. This money was donated to two organizations, The Kidney Foundation of Canada and The Arthritis Society. Considering that the goal of this project was to promote awareness of kidney disease and arthritis, we can state with pride that we have achieved our goal! The financial support you gave us will provide concrete help in advancing scientific research, which is essential in developing the new strategies needed to combat these diseases and in continuing to improve the life of a great number of other individuals. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. René Parent The 400 km Challenge René Parent with his sons Jean-Philippe and Alexandre. 6 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 Your donation goes a long way at the Foundation

7 Health Inf0 The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Québec Branch Volume 20 No 1 Spring 2009 Patient services available at the Foundation Patient Services Profile For patient services at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, the main objective is to make life easier for patients suffering from kidney failure. To accomplish this, we grant financial and human resources to fulfill the various needs of kidney patients who are not normally covered by the healthcare system and the professionals who work there. The Foundation s main concerns and activities include both disease prevention and advocacy programs that will allow patients to maintain their physical and emotional health at optimal levels. The services offered by the Foundation assist all those suffering from kidney or kidney-related diseases. These include children and adults, patients on dialysis or who have received a transplant, and all those suffering from various chronic kidney-related diseases and who might need dialysis treatment or a transplant. The Kidney Foundation of Canada believes that all patients have special needs specifically linked to their situation. The support services The publication of this Health Info was made possible thanks to the financial suppor t of

8 Health Inf0 provided to those suffering from kidney disease reflect their need for both physical and psychological assistance, on an individual basis. These patients originate from all walks of life, and from a variety of cultures and regions. Their reactions to the disease are very diverse, as are their abilities to adapt, their motivation and their lifestyles. It is thus extremely difficult to make any general statements when talking about them or the general services provided to help them. The Kidney Foundation of Canada offers a wide variety of services to people living with kidney disease and transplant recipients. There are two categories of services : essential and complementary. Short term financial assistance Short-term and emergency financial assistance may be available to cover medical and other expenses associated with kidney disease and its treatment. This assistance is provided only when all other sources of funding have been exhausted. To find out if you are eligible, speak to your social worker at the unit where you are receiving treatment or contact us. The Kidney Connect Program Following is a list of the essential services : Living with kidney disease manual The comprehensive Living with kidney disease manual is a valuable source of information on kidney disease. This manual, offered free of charge to new patients, is printed in French, English, Italian, Chinese, Punjabi and Portuguese. A videotape and an audio version are also available. Because a diagnosis of kidney disease can be emotionally as well as physically challenging, The Kidney Foundation has developed a peer support program designed to provide the kind of one-on-one support you and your family may need. The Kidney Connect Program lets you speak with someone who truly understands what it s like to live with kidney disease, and is willing to share their own experiences with you. Do not hesitate to call to talk with a peer support volunteer. Information brochures The Kidney Foundation produces educational brochures and fact sheets on specific aspects of living 2 HEALTH INFO Spring 2009

9 Health Inf0 with kidney disease. A complete listing of these educational materials is available on the Foundation s Web site at The Foundation may also offer other services, depending on local community needs and resources. The following services are complementary and available only when the total amount of funds collected can cover the expenditures. MédicAlert bracelets 18 and suffering from kidney disease the opportunity to spend a week in a great summer camp adapted to their needs. The Québec Branch Newsletter This newsletter is distributed in French and English, three times a year, to all kidney patients. It features helpful articles about living well with kidney disease, updates on promising research and items of local interest to people affected by kidney disease. Pagers An agreement intervened between The Kidney Foundation of Canada and Bell Mobility, helps patients awaiting an organ transplant to rent (free of charge) a numerical pager with unlimited service for a period of 12 months. The Kidney Foundation will pay the cost of the bracelet, applicable taxes and shipping fees, to patients who do not have the financial means to do so. IT S TAX SEASON AGAIN Bursaries These bursaries are offered twice a year (Fall and Winter sessions) to dialyzed or kidney transplant recipient patients to help them pursue their collegial or university studies. Summer camp for Québec dialyzed and transplant recipient children The Spaghetti and Pizza Day, sponsored by La Fraternité des policiers de Laval, provides children aged 6 to Many people affected by a kidney disease have questions about the legal aspects of taxes and the paperwork involved with their illness. We will discuss employment-related topics, and taxation issues to let HEALTH INFO Spring

10 Health Inf0 you take charge of making important decisions about your healthcare and personal care. Whether you work or not, there are various tax credits and deductions for which you may be eligible. These are briefly described below. Tax credits and deductions can be a confusing subject. We encourage you to talk to your social worker, and to consult the appropriate federal and provincial government offices for more detailed information. You can find government listings section of your local telephone directory (sometimes called the blue pages). What you can claim if you have an income If you have an income, you may be able to obtain a Medical Expense Tax Credit for medical expenses which have not been covered by your provincial health plan or extended health benefits. The Medical Expense Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can be claimed for a wide range of medical and related expenses such as healthcare services, travel expenses, home renovations to install a hemodialysis machine, medications, dental services and health insurance. Expenses incurred out of the country over and above provincial coverage may also be included. You can claim expenses for yourself, your spouse, and with some limitations, for your other dependents. Expenses that you cannot claim for the Medical Expenses Tax Credit Non-prescription medications ; Special food or nutritional supplements ; Health programs and gym fees ; Parking. What you can claim if you have no income Even people who do not have an income or pay taxes should usually file an income tax return. This is simply because there are various tax credits available, such as the Child Tax Benefit and the GST Credit, which can result in money in your pocket. There are also provincial tax credits available to you. Disability Tax Credit Whether you have an income or not, if your medical condition has left you disabled, you may be eligible for a Disability Tax Credit. This credit is non-refundable and it reduces the amount of income tax that may be owed by people with disabilities or the people who support them. For more information, the following documents Information concerning people with disabilities RC4064 and Interpretation bulletin IT-519R2 (consolidated) are available from your local district taxation office or the Canada Revenue Agency We site at Because the eligible medical and disability expenses all have conditions attached, and because these conditions and how they are applied change from year to year, its is best to talk to an income tax specialist when preparing your income tax return. You may also be eligible for other tax benefits, such as gasoline tax rebates and homeowner grants. Your social worker can give you additional information or direct you to your local district taxation office. To obtain more information about the Patients Services offered by The Kidney Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact Hélène Boisvert, Director, Programs at (514) , ext You can also visit our Web site at Reference : Living with kidney disease manual, 4th edition, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, HEALTH INFO Spring 2009

11 partnership events A student gets support thanks to a brilliant idea The staff and students at the Pie XII Elementary School in Repentigny had the delightful idea of initiating a fundraising campaign so they could help a fellow student suffering from kidney disease and waiting for a transplant. To collect donations on Halloween, a class of 10 and 11 year-old students created hand-made piggy banks. The 135 students who took part managed to collect $800, and then handed this impressive amount over to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Not only did this event raise money, but it also helped make the entire student body more aware of kidney diseases and the importance of donating organs. We congratulate the special education technicians Stéphanie Duclos and Caroline Quevillon for their marvellous initiative, and we thank all the students and donors who contributed to this fundraising event. Mr. Miklos Fulop, Executive Director, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Québec Branch and Mr. Jean-François Joly, Pie XII School Director as well as project initiators Mrs. Anik Chartrand with her students, Mrs. Caroline Quevillon and Mrs. Stéphanie Duclos, specialized education technicians. In the month of March, buy a chili at Wendy s and support The Kidney Foundation of Canada The Wendy s Restaurants in the Greater Montréal area have joined forces to support The Kidney Foundation of Canada during Kidney Health Month in March. As a result, for every chili sold in the month of March, $0.25 will be given to the Foundation to help persons with kidney disease. You may also make a donation at the cash in any Wendy s Restaurant. We therefore invite you to kill two birds with one stone have a good bowl of chili and support The Kidney Foundation of Canada at the same time. We're behind you all the way Kidney-Link Spring

12 research Dr. Paul R. Goodyer earns The Kidney Foundation of Canada s 2008 Medal for Research Excellence For his world-renowned body of work on the genetic basis for renal disease, Dr.Paul Rowland Goodyer has been awarded The Kidney Foundation of Canada s 2008 Medal for Research Excellence. A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Goodyer has been Director, Division of Pediatric Nephro - logy at the Montréal Children s Hospital since His research career spans over 20 years, with a particular interest in molecular genetics, a research field that focuses on genes as determinants of all life processes. chaired by Dr. Joaquim Madrenas, scientific chair of the research council of the Kidney Foundation, has reviewed the research proposals and selected the award recipient. Dr. Rhian M. Touyz, MBBCh, MSc(Med), PhD, is the Canada Research Chair in Hypertension at the Kidney Research Centre, Ottawa Health Research Institute/University of Ottawa and is the recipient of the first Kidney Foundation of Canada/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Renal Research Award for her research proposal on the role of Nox1 and Nox4 in diabetic nephropathy and associated cardiovascular injury. Dr Touyz has received a 150,000$ research grant to conduct this research. Dr Touyz is a Senior Scientist at the OHRI and physician in the Division of nephrology. The second installment of the Kidney Foundation of Canada/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Renal Research Award competition is now accepting proposals via the Pfizer CardioVascular Research Awards portal at The submission deadline is April 3rd, Author of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals, Dr. Goodyer is a popular and highly- anticipated speaker at international conferences. The Medal for Research Excellence is awarded to honor a Canadian researcher whose work is recognized by his peers to have improved the treatment and care of people living with kidney disease and related conditions. The Kidney Foundation of Canada/Pfizer Canada-Cardio-Renal Research Award The Kidney Foundation of Canada and Pfizer Canada were happy to announce last fall at the Canadian Cardiology Congress, the winner of the first Kidney Foundation of Canada/Pfizer Canada - Cardio-Renal Research Award. This program is a unique and innovative alliance between The Kidney Foundation and Pfizer Canada. This award is a collaborative pilot program to fund research projects addressing the cardiovascular complications of kidney disease. An independent committee of Canadian medical researchers, jointly nominated by The Kidney Foundation and by Pfizer Canada and 8 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 Together we can make a difference

13 this and that Testimonial about fire prevention because we realized that the only publications available on the topic were in English. Thus the project slowly took shape and I started on the first chapter, writing about responsibility and duty with respect to fire prevention. I then submitted this to my co-authors, Jean-Jacques Fournel who sparked the project, as well as Louis Beaulieu. It was during my many hours of dialysis that I wrote a few more chapters. While bent over my computer, the nurses thought I was watching movies or doing crossword puzzles, while I was in fact writing. In September 2008, I went ahead and launched the book. This made me feel extremely proud, despite the many obstacles, I had attained my goal. My name is Pierre De Beaumont, and I live in Lauzon. I have been on dialysis since Since my first visit at Hôtel-Dieu de Québec hospital, a colleague of mine and I got an idea for a project. We wanted to write a book in French Despite adversity, bad news and constant aching, we must never let go. We have to continue, living through it all, one day at a time. Take care of yourself. Pierre De Beaumont National Organ and Tissue Donation Week This year, National Organ and Tissue Donation Week takes place from April 19 to 26. Several activities will be staged throughout the province with the goal of raising public awareness of the importance or organ and tissue donation. The Sylvie Guérin Fund While awaiting a kidney transplant, Sylvie s friends created the Kidney Foundation`s Sylvie Guérin Fund, in order to provide her with moral support. The funds raised through various initiatives will be used to support The Kidney Foundation of Canada s research program. The above picture is part of a beautiful calendar created by her friends and one of these initiatives. If you would like to obtain more information, please contact: dominique.perrault@videotron.ca To find out about the events held as part of this theme week, please contact Caroline Duguay at (514) or 1 (800) Your donation goes a long way at the Foundation Kidney-Link Spring

14 PATIENT Services To obtain documentation or information on programs offered by the Foundation, please visit its Web site at and click on Patient Services or Organ Donation. You may also contact: Hélène Boisvert, Director of Programs The Kidney Foundation of Canada Québec Branch 2300 René-Lévesque Blvd. West Montréal (Québec) H3H 2R5 Tel.:(514) , extension 224 or helene.boisvert@rein.ca Waiting for a Kidney Transplant? Rent a Pager for Free Thanks to an agreement between The Kidney Foundation of Canada and Bell Mobility, patients awaiting a kidney transplant may obtain a digital pager free of charge and benefit from unlimited service in the covered area for a period of 12 months provided that the area is serviced by Bell. To renew your pager service, you must forward another application form for patients awaiting a kidney transplant as soon as you receive your first Bell Mobility bill. Normally, the service is valid for 12 months. To extend this all patients are asked to complete and send in another Bell Mobility form, indicating that they are still on the kidney transplant waiting list. If you do not send this form, you risk having your pager service interrupted. To obtain this form, please call The Kidney Foundation of Canada at the number indicated at the top of this page. Scholarships The objective of the Kidney Foundation of Canada scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to those who have undergone dialysis or transplants, and who wish to pursue their college and university studies. For the upcoming Fall 2009 session, the deadline for sending in your application form is September 30, Prevention of Chronic Kidney Failure Conference The Conference was held on Friday, November 28 in the Laurentians and was attended by more than 85 participants. The purpose of these conferences is to increase awareness amongst health professionals with regards to chronic kidney failure. Those attending these symposiums include family physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists and management personnel from such agencies as CLSCs, CHSLDs, private clinics, hospitals, etc., as well as those involved in the development of local health service and social service networks. Conference objectives: Promoting awareness among participants about today s chronic kidney disease situation in Québec. Explain the importance of end-stage kidney disease. Consequences of end-stage kidney disease at both the patient and socio economic levels. The risk factors for the appearance of end-stage kidney disease. The various ways end-stage kidney disease can be prevented. How to recognize and handle end-stage kidney disease medical complications. When to refer a patient for kidney replacement (dialysis and kidney transplants). The Organizing Committee: President Dr. Pierre Nantel, Nephrologist, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Sorel-Tracy Members: Dr. Pierre Cartier, Nephrologist, St-Jérôme Hospital Dr. Louise Cornelius, Nephrologist, Laval Region Outpatient Department (CHARL), Cité de la Santé de Laval Sponors for the symposium: Ortho-Biotech, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, Sanofi Aventis and Shire. 10 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 We're behind you all the way

15 Organ Donation National Donor Recognition Ceremony In an emotional ceremony held in Sherbrooke on October 31, the Canadian Organ Donors Association (CODA) formed a partnership with The Kidney Foundation of Canada to pay tribute to living donors. They were presented with the Good Samaritan Medal, highlighting the magnificent gift of life they made. Have you donated a kidney to a loved one or received a kidney transplant in the past five years? Did your employer support you, for example by continuing to pay your salary throughout the process or by giving you time off for examinations? Let the public know about your company's generosity by submitting its candidacy for The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Gift for Life Award. The Gift for Life Award was created by the Québec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada to recognize the humanitarian efforts of companies that in various ways facilitate kidney transplant or donation for one or more of their employees. This award is aimed at raising awareness among Québec companies Call for nominations Gift for Life Award of the importance of supporting their employees throughout the transplant or donation process. You have up until March 16, 2009 to send us your completed nomination form. To participate, you can : register online on our Web site; or call Simon Tardif at (514) , ext For more information, do not hesitate to visit our Web site : Together we can make a difference Kidney-Link Spring

16 Québec Branch 2300, René-Lévesque Blvd. West Montréal (Québec) H3H 2R5 Tel. : (514) Fax : (514) info@reinquebec.ca The mission of The Kidney Foundation of Canada The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through: funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation Membership application form The membership card gives the following privileges: the right to take part and the right to vote at in the Foundation s Annual General Meeting; The right to receive the Foundation s newsletter. Yes, I am at least 18 years of age and I would like to become a member of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. I also agree to participate in at least one activity organized by the Foundation or for its benefit. Please find enclosed my $10 contribution. No income tax receip will be issued for your membership fee. Cheque made out to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Visa MasterCard Amex Credit card number Expiry Date This information is only used to process the payment of your donation. We do not electronically store credit card information. Donation to The Kidney Foundation of Canada Yes, I would like to make a donation to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Please find enclosed my contribution in the amount of: $15 $25 $40 $50 Other: Cheque made out to The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Visa MasterCard Amex Credit card number Expiry Date An income tax receipt will be issued for all donations. Corrections to be made to my address (if necessary ): Please send me my copy of the newsletter by to: Please remove my name from your mailing list. We may use your contact information for future correspondence, including fundraising opportunities. If you do not wish us to do so, please call us at We thank you in advance for your patience, 30 days will be required to make all necessary changes. Detach and fill out this form and use the return-envelope included with the newsletter to mail it. Thank you for affixing a stamp. This stamp helps reduce our costs and is actually an additional donation. 12 Kidney-Link Spring 2009 Your donation goes a long way at the Foundation