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The Kidney Foundation of Canada launched its first Kidney Car program back in 1992, Kidney Car after learning that The National Kidney Foundation south of the border was running a car donation program to help raise funds. What started as a small pilot in Ontario has grown nationwide and is an important revenue source for The Kidney Foundation to fund its mission. Today, Kidney Car is widely considered the most trusted name in car donation having handled hundreds of thousands of vehicle donations.

Donated vehicles, otherwise known as Kidney Cars, are either recycled or sold, and the proceeds are invested back into activities to help the 1 in 10 Canadians living with kidney disease. The funds support vital kidney research, efforts to provide hope and support to help patients and their families, as well as public awareness initiatives to help raise awareness of kidney health and organ donation.

“We are grateful to the thousands of donors and corporate partners, who have helped make Kidney Car such a success,” said Greg Robbins, Kidney Foundation, Ontario Branch President.  “Donating a car is no small gesture, yet over the years thousands of Canadians have given their car a lasting legacy that does make a difference in the fight against kidney disease.”

Donors like Harvey Thomson laud the program for its ease and simplicity. “It’s one of the easiest things I’ve done in relation to an automobile,” says Thomson, a volunteer and Kidney Car donor. “It took one phone call to have my car picked up, the plates removed and to sign over the registration.”

Cars can be donated online at kidneycar.ca or by calling toll-free 1.866.788.CARS (2277). Kidney Car provides free towing available within 48hrs and donors receive a charitable tax receipt for their donation –a minimum of $300. Newer models, in road worthy condition may qualify for a significantly larger tax receipt.
“It’s a win-win for The Kidney Foundation and for the donors,” said Robbins. “Kidney Car takes care of everything and donors are confident their car donation has been recycled in an environmentally friendly manner and has also helped patients and their families affected by kidney disease.”

There is no cure for kidney disease. Patients are treated either through dialysis, a process by which blood is cleaned through a machine, or transplantation. In Ontario, there are over 1,000 people currently waiting for a kidney transplant, representing approximately two-thirds of the entire organ donation waiting list.

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.

Learn more: KidneyCar.ca