Advocacy
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Advocacy

  • A close-up photo of a microphone with a blurry background
    Advocacy is taking action to bring about changes to government, community or institutional policies or to influence public opinion and societal attitudes.

    We work hand-in-hand with passionate individuals. We provide insights, analysis, and tools that make it easy for you to forge a better future for people affected by kidney disease.

Who can advocate?

Advocacy covers a broad range of activities that can include almost anyone:

  • Self-Advocacy: the person who is directly affected by an issue or situation speaks up for him or herself and takes action to change it. The Kidney Foundation encourages individuals to act on their own behalf and plays a supporting role by providing information and suggestions for individual action.

  • Individual Advocacy: An individual or organization acts with and for the person with the concern. The Kidney Foundation has a limited ability to take on individual cases. Fortunately, most renal programs have nephrology social workers as part of the renal team. Part of their role is to advocate on behalf of patients to ensure they have access to services for which they are eligible. 

  • Group Advocacy: A group or organization or coalition of groups work together to seek changes to existing policy or to set new policy for a specific community or group of people. This is the type of advocacy the Kidney Foundation in most often involved in.

    Would you like to get involved in one of our advocacy campaigns? If so, please contact us at advocacy@kidney.ca.

  • National CKD Framework
    The Framework is Canada’s first unified roadmap to transform kidney care from a reactive model to a proactive, resilient system focused on kidney health.
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  • The Financial Realities of Kidney Disease
    Living with kidney disease can create significant financial challenges for patients and their families. From medication costs and travel expenses to lost income and caregiving responsibilities, the economic impact can be substantial and long-lasting.
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  • Organ Donation
    The Kidney Foundation has intensified efforts to mobilize patients and families to be a leading voice in advocating for equitable access to transplants for all Canadians.
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  • Food Marketing and Labelling
    The marketing of unhealthy foods, coupled with insufficient food labeling, makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices about their health.
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  • Access to Medications
    The cost of medication can be a significant burden to people with kidney disease.
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  • Principles of Care
    In fulfilling our advocacy mission, we recognized that an important first step was the development of fundamental principles of care.
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  • Regional Priorities
    Advocacy and government relations priorities vary in every province and territory. Even at a local level, there may be some important issues that have serious consequences for people with kidney disease.
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