Regional Priorities

The Kidney Foundation supports people living with kidney failure at all stages of their journey. Our advocacy work is focused on breaking down systemic barriers and improving the quality of life of all Canadians living with and at risk of kidney disease.

There are important issues both provincially and locally that have serious consequences for people with kidney disease. These issues can include challenges accessing transportation to get to and from dialysis treatments; financial barriers including food insecurity, transportation and medication costs; the need for improvements in organ donation and transplantation rates and access to medications and other treatments.

We continue to collaborate and consult with all system partners to ensure the voices of those affected by kidney disease are heard. Every one of the thousands of conversations we have every year, in diverse communities, and with those at different stages of kidney disease, informs our outreach to the many levels of care providers, planners, and funders across Ontario.

Our advocacy goals are:

• to inform and educate the public, government, politicians, and other organizations and agencies about the importance of kidney health and the needs of people affected by kidney disease, and

• to influence the development of public policy to ensure that the needs are being met.

The Kidney Foundation in Ontario has produced many reports and submissions and fact sheets on a range of important issues. We advocated successfully for the expansion of dialysis facilities across the province and the establishment of both the Trillium Gift of Life Network and Ontario Renal Network. We also encourage and support individuals to advocate on their own behalf through the provision of workshops and links to other resources.

Current Issues

We continue to dialogue with leaders provincially and locally to address the needs of our community. Here are a few of the issues we’ve been addressing:

• Volunteers and staff participated in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Jane Philpot, Chair of Ontario’s New Primary Action Team. Individuals living with kidney disease and the renal professionals who treat them shared their lived experience and discussed issues of access, equity, early detection and screening.

• Local advocacy efforts in several communities, including Cornwall and Kitchener yielded positive results. The Kidney Foundation worked closely with renal teams to address challenges faced by hemodialysis patients accessing reliable public transportation.

To learn more about local advocacy initiatives and how you can contribute to bringing about positive changes for kidney patients in your area, please Contact Us.

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According to estimates, dialysis treatments cost the healthcare system approximately $60,000 a year per patient, compared with $23,000 for a kidney transplant, to which a further $6,000 a year must be added for anti-rejection drugs. Over a five-year period, the total cost of a kidney transplant is around $250,000 less per patient than dialysis. Beyond these figures, one also needs to take into account the improved quality of life enjoyed by transplant recipients, who can lead active lives and return to the labour market.

“From an economic standpoint, it’s obvious that kidney transplantation lessens the financial burden on our healthcare system. We should also remember that the strictly monetary costs associated with dialysis—those related to transportation, medication and loss of revenue - exact a heavy social toll as well: kidney patients have to undergo dialysis treatments three times a week just to survive and are often forced to withdraw from the workforce,” Dr. Yves Rabeau, professor of economics at UQAM.

The need to minimize the social and economic impacts of kidney failure in Quebec is urgent. The number of people suffering from the condition is on the rise, due mainly to the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure, which are precursors to kidney disease.

“We would like to see an increase in the number of kidney transplants. In fact, this particular avenue needs to be given priority within our healthcare system. It’s the solution that offers patients the greatest chance at a normal quality of life, not to mention the most economical option for society,” Dr. Michel R. Pâquet, chairman of The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Organ and Tissue Donation Committee.

One of the most significant ways that we advocate for our members is through involvement with the Saskatchewan Chronic Kidney Disease Steering Committee. The SK CKD Steering Committee is responsible for making recommendations to Saskatchewan Health regarding policies, programs, priorities and resources aimed at meeting the health needs of Saskatchewan residents who are receiving renal services or who may be at risk for developing a need.

The Steering Committee:

• coordinates and makes recommendations on all aspects of a coordinated Renal Program for the province;

• coordinates prevention and early detection strategies, including dialysis and renal transplantation.

The Kidney Foundation was created out of a desire to advocate on behalf of those affected by kidney disease. We continue to be active on national, provincial and local levels to ensure that the concerns of members are heard. If you have an issue that you would like to suggest to the Branch Advocacy Working Group, please contact us.