News

March is Kidney Health Month, a global campaign dedicated to raising kidney health awareness. Here in BC, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch is supporting those with kidney disease through their "Warm the Souls" campaign which distributes thermal socks or toques (for amputees who cannot wear the socks) to all in-centre and community hemodialysis patients in BC.

Dialysis is a treatment for kidney disease that cleans the blood and remove excess fluid from the body when a person’s kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do these important, life-sustaining jobs. Those who receive their hemodialysis treatment in-centre must travel to a hospital or clinic three times per week and remain there for four to five hours each time.

"Kidney patients often suffer from poor circulation making them colder than the average person," says Marie Hesse, Director, Community Initiatives at The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch. “By giving socks and toques, we are hoping to make their lengthy treatments more comfortable. We know that the past couple of years have been hard on everyone – especially those in our vulnerable kidney community – so in addition to the physical warmth these items will provide, we are hoping also to warm their souls.”

Long-time Kidney Foundation volunteer and visionary behind Warm the Souls, Annick Lim, adds, “We are excited to reach out and help in this way to make a real impact on kidney patients in hemodialysis units. Along with the socks and toques, the Foundation’s Community Chapter volunteers will also be providing information on how patients can stay connected or re-connect with others in the kidney community.”

Warm the Souls started in 2018 with Community Chapter volunteers delivering socks to the Penticton hemodialysis unit. This year, the Kidney Foundation, BC & Yukon Branch is fortunate to be able to include all hemodialysis centers in BC 'covering' close to 3,000 patients.