In addition to one-on-one peer support, peer support groups are a great way to connect with others who live with or are affected by kidney disease. The groups currently meet virtually by phone or through video-conferencing and are facilitated by trained facilitators who live with kidney disease or are caregivers. 

Everyone is welcome!

In May and early June, we welcome a number of social workers to attend our sessions as guest speakers. Topics of Discussion will include:

• What roles does a social worker have at each stage of a renal patient’s kidney journey?
• What supports do they offer, either in the community or at the clinic/hospital?
• When do you have access to a renal social worker?
• What is their role within your health care? 

Sessions with social work guest speakers include:

1. Scarborough – Wednesday, May 4 – 6:30pm - Sam Watt 
2. Living with Reduced Kidney Function – Monday, May 9 – 1:30pm – Rebecca Purdie 
3. Ottawa – Tuesday, May 17 – 2:00pm – Maeve Blake 
4. Living with Reduced Kidney Function – Tuesday, May 17 – 6:00pm – Rebecca Purdie 
5. Windsor – Thursday, May 19 – 1:30pm – Michelle Dinardo 
6. Caregivers – Thursday, May 19 – 6:30pm – Marisa Reise & Barb Sexsmith 
7. Transplant Connect – Tuesday, May 24 – 6:00pm – Sharon Shavel 
8. St. Michael’s – Thursday, May 26 – 3:00pm – Sharon Lee
9. Mississauga – Monday, May 30 – 2pm – Kylie Katz
10. Brampton – Tuesday, May 31 – 1:30pm – Kristina Alvarez-Sagala & Emily Meeking  
11. Toronto General – Wednesday, June 1 – 1:00pm – Mary Paul, Melissa Rubin & Angela Tse 
12. Kitchener – Wednesday, June 8 – 1:30pm – Frances Fraser 
13. Kingston – Thursday, June 9 – 1:30pm – Ann Larson 

Social workers will have the first 45 minutes of each group to conduct their presentation along with a Q&A. 

Pre-registration is required for the meetings.  Email ontario.programs@kidney.ca or phone 1-866-390-7337. Once you’ve registered, guidelines and call details will be provided to access the meeting.

For a full list of all Support Meetings, please visit kidney.ca/supportmeetings.