News

Vancouver – March is Kidney Health Month and in support of those living with kidney disease - a potentially life-threatening disease which affects 1 in 10 British Columbians - the Honourable, Katrine Conroy, BC Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Adrian Dix, BC Minister of Health, announced $720,000 in funding towards two important Kidney Foundation initiatives at the Foundation’s Kidney Gala earlier this month.

As a kidney living donor, I am keenly aware of the challenges and barriers kidney patients face and the important work that the Kidney Foundation does to support patients,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. “That’s why I am proud of our government’s direct support for the Foundation and am confident the grant will make a meaningful difference.”

“Kidney patients face a lifelong journey with kidney disease which often impacts them physically, emotionally and financially,” said Pia Schindler, Executive Director, BC & Yukon Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

“To help ease the burden of those living with this disease, the Kidney Foundation has developed core programs and services that can guide and assist in different ways to help relieve emotional and financial stress. We are very grateful to the BC Government for this significant funding which will help us provide lift off to Phase 2 of our Kidney Wellness Hub and to our Living Donor Circle of Excellence initiative. This announcement represents a significant commitment to all kidney patients, from the newly diagnosed, to those facing dialysis, and to the those who have received a kidney transplant,” adds Schindler.

“Learning that you or a loved one has kidney disease is challenging, but with the right information and support, it does not have to be isolating,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “For more than 50 years, The Kidney Foundation has connected millions of Canadians to resources, programs, and a community of support. Investing in these two vital programs will ensure Indigenous kidney patients can access support that is safe and relevant to them and ensure those choosing to become living donors are not faced with financial burdens while off work.”

The Kidney Foundation developed and launched Phase 1 of the Kidney Wellness Hub in the fall of 2022 with initial funding grant from the BC Ministry of Health. An innovative patient-centered initiative, the Kidney Wellness Hub supports kidney patients’ overall health and wellbeing through an interactive online platform with kidney customized resources, tools and videos. Delivered in a safe and accessible format, the Kidney Wellness Hub enables equal access to those who live in remote areas or have a lack of social connection or other supports. It is also a valuable resource for those who support kidney patients, as well as a trusted place for health care professionals to refer their patients.

Building on the success of Phase 1, the BC Government has stepped up again with this recent announcement and provided an additional $620,000 for Phase 2, which will have a specific focus on the most vulnerable and underserved kidney populations and include the development and launch of an Indigenous Outreach strategy.

The Kidney Foundation also received $100,000 in funding to support its Living Donor Circle of Excellence initiative, for which the Kidney Foundation became a recent partner with the American Society of Transplantation and Canadian Society of Transplantation.

Kidney disease has no cure and the best option for many kidney patients is a kidney transplant. The Circle of Excellence helps promote living kidney donation and to remove the financial barriers to living donors. This employer recognition program celebrates organizations who have HR policies in place which clearly state that employees who choose to be a living donor are covered for wage loss during their recovery period. For more information on this initiative, please see this short video: Living Donor Circle of Excellence.

Minister Conroy and Minister Dix, Kidney Gala, March 4th, 2023