Kidney Community Newsletter | Winter 2016

WINTER 2016

The Kidney Foundation of Canada – Quebec Branch

newsletter

BENEFIT-CONCERT

The Orchestre métropolitain de Montréal affected by kidney failure page 4

RESEARCH

A smart gel to fight kidney cancer page 10

ORGAN DONATION

Maryse Gilbert and Virginie Roy: a moving testimonial on living donation page 8

The newsletter gets a facelift page 10

The personal information you have provided is used only to send you this newsletter. If you no longer wish to receive it, please e-mail us at infoquebec@kidney.ca or call us at 514-938-4515.

Dear readers: Help enrich our newsletter by sharing your experiences with kidney disease or transplants! Please send a text of up to 300 words, along with a high-resolution photo, to infoquebec@kidney.ca.

WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE! A new positioning to illustrate our raison d’être, giving people struggling with kidney failure a new lease on life Since The Kidney Foundation of Canada was created 50 years ago, the work of its volunteers and employees has focused on the same goal: using the means at our disposal to give people struggling with renal failure renewed quality of life. We wanted to raise awareness among the public and the kidney community about our relentless pursuit by giving ourselves a new positioning: A new lease on life! As you’ll see in the following pages, we’ve been working hard since long before we launched the new positioning.

As the opening of the new McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) approached, the Foundation publicly supported patients of the Royal Victoria Hospital Nephrology Centre, who were concerned about being transferred to the new Lachine dialysis centre. We took a number of actions to ensure that patients were kept informed and were consulted about their transfer. Despite a number people expressing concerns about the lack of information, the transfer apparently went smoothly on November 16, 2015.

Increasing the number of kidney transplants Between 2012 and 2014, the Foundation took decisive action on a number of occasions to offer solutions to promote kidney transplants.

Our actions led to changes in the healthcare system and raised public awareness about the impacts of kidney transplantation. The years 2013 and 2014 were banner years for kidney grafts in Quebec, and we are delighted to have played a role in making that happen.

Supporting people living with kidney disease The Foundation continues to improve its patient support programs. In 2015, we played an active role in revamping the “Living with Kidney Disease” patient manual. Every aspect of this comprehensive guide for stage IV (predialysis) and V (dialysis) kidney patients was completely overhauled, including its format and updated and improved content.

In 2015, we launched a new action plan to leverage the opportunities that emerged from our recommendations. Starting in early 2015, Articles may be reproduced provided that proper credit is the Foundation’s Organ Donation Committee given. chairman, Dr. Michel Pâquet, submitted to Quebec’s minister of health and social services (MSSS) a guide for boosting living donation in the province. The MSSS agreed to run a pilot project at CHUM to hone the best practices in the field. The Foundation will actively support the project and, in conjunction with the MSSS and the province’s transplant centres, will organize an initiative to increase the number of living donor transplants performed.

Research Support for research aimed at improving treatments for kidney failure is a core part of the Foundation’s mission. Quebec is home to renowned kidney researchers, and The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the country’s largest non-governmental funder of kidney disease research.

COORDINATION AND WRITING Antoine Ardiley GRAPHICS AND PUBLISHING Ardecom PRODUCTION Ardecom CONTACT US: The Kidney Foundation of Canada – Quebec Branch 2300 René-Lévesque Blvd West, Montreal, QC H3H 2R5 TELEPHONE 514-938-4515 or 1-800-565-4515 FAX 514-938-4757 E-MAIL infoquebec@kidney.ca Circulation : 10,000 copies The newsletter is published three times a year by the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Distributed in English and French to all people suffering from kidney failure, these publications provide valuable information on the Foundation’s services and activities, including the latest news about kidney disease and organ donation.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, its directors, employees or members.

Moving? Write us at: infoquebec@kidney.ca.

Accessible, high-quality dialysis services The Foundation set up a committee comprised of patients, nephrologists, nurses and social workers to document the challenges facing dialysis in Quebec. A survey was conducted to obtain patients’ and health professionals’ views on these challenges. Based on the survey results and the committee members’ report, the Foundation will share with the MSSS its views on the health department’s guidelines on dialysis, which were made public in November.

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The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

In early 2017, patients at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) will be relocated, primarily to the new dialysis unit on De Gaspé Avenue in Montreal. We are in regular contact with the CHUM dialysis centre and with the managers of the future satellite centre, who have indicated that the information sessions held helped minimize patient anxiety.

We are proud of our emergency financial aid programs and study grants, which have helped support hundreds of patients going through rough financial times and who have no other option, as well as patients hoping to complete their studies or change careers.

Despite the increasingly difficult financial situation faced by all charitable organizations, the volunteers and staff of the Foundation’s Quebec Branch have been working fervently and creatively to continue supporting patients and help improve their quality of life despite the heavy burdens placed on them by kidney failure. We would like to thank the Quebec Branch’s volunteers and employees for their tireless efforts and remarkable work. As a reader, you too can give kidney patients another lease on life by donating or getting involved in one of our activities.

SIMON BRODEUR President, Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada

MARTIN MUNGER Executive Director, Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada

PORTRAITS OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

MEET A FEW OF THE FOUNDATION’S VOLUNTEERS December 5 was International Volunteer Day. For the occasion, the Foundation launched the “I Volunteer” campaign to highlight the outstanding contribution our volunteers have made. Thanks to their dedication, the Foundation will be able to keep pursuing the mission it adopted in 1964: improving the lives of people living with kidney failure by delivering quality care and services, promoting organ donation and funding kidney disease research.

SAGUENAY Marianne Rousseau has been a Door-to-Door Campaign volunteer for the past 22 years.

Her 42-year-old daughter has a kidney condition. “I’m in it for the cause, and besides, someone has to do it,” said Marianne, who always feels welcome when she knocks at people’s doors.

Suzanne Girard has been a Door-to-Door Campaign volunteer for the past 18 years.

Suzanne, whose grandmother lived with only one kidney, knows that she too may suffer from kidney disease one day: “The cause is very dear to me and I plan to keep knocking on people’s doors as long as my health allows,” she said.

Danye Tremblay is involved with the Kidney Walk because she wants to help people suffering from kidney failure.

“I care deeply about the Foundation, and thanks to hemodialysis, I feel alive again. When you give of your time, everyone wins!” Thanks to her contagious energy, Danye is a model of commitment and her involvement in the branch’s activities is a source of inspiration.

ABITIBI Ghislaine Nicol worked in healthcare for 40 years.

Today, she’s a Door-to-Door Campaign volunteer. “Year after year, I’m always amazed and touched by people’s warmth and generosity,” said Ghislaine, who has been involved with the campaign for the past four years.

ABITIBI Gisèle Goulet is president of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Chapter. At 74 years young she’s as energetic as ever, but she hopes to hand over the reins someday soon.

MONTREAL Claire Tardif and Jean-Guy Desrochers are two prime examples of the benefits of living donation and transplants. In 2011, Claire Tardif donated a kidney to her husband, JeanGuy. “When I see my husband brimming with energy again, I can’t help but think about the wonderful opportunity I had to give him this gift, and about the long life together we now have ahead of us,” said Claire, who is now involved in the Walk with her husband.

Louise Laviolette is a kidney transplant recipient and has always believed in the importance of volunteer involvement. “People need to know all about what the Foundation does, and I have something to contribute,” she said. Louise is a true dynamo who wants to spread the word about the benefits of organ donation.

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS Guy Séguin and Carole Paris have been volunteering with the Foundation for the past three years. They enjoy the Eastern Townships Chapter’s activities and are dedicated volunteers.

“We meet a lot of people, and make new friends and contacts, all while contributing to a good cause,” Carole said.

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS Kidney transplant recipient Josée Parenteau has been a Foundation volunteer for over five years. “Volunteering has given me a chance to meet new people, expand my social circle and make new friends, which is always nice.” She is the organizer of the Eastern Township Chapter’s benefit supper, which is held annually in Sherbrooke.

QUEBEC CITY Ovide Turmel is a Door-to-Door Campaign volunteer. His involvement has helped him find the happiness he has been longing for. He finds fulfillment in looking into the eyes of people who are suffering and hearing about their life experiences. “They’ve taught me that giving is the greatest reward,” said Ovide, who had all the creature comforts he could ask for, but found that his life lacked meaning.

Christina Tanguay-Dumas has been volunteering with the Quebec City Chapter since 2012, when her husband was diagnosed with kidney failure. “Giving your time to an organization you care about helps support its cause, and it’s rewarding because you know you’re playing an active role in its development.”

Would you also like to become a Foundation volunteer and support its work? Contact Patrick Marais at 514-938-4515, extension 233, or patrick.marais@kidney.ca.

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

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FALL EVENTS

A BIG FIRST FOR THE BENEFIT-CONCERT “Lights, Music, Action” The benefit-concert “Lights, Music, Action” for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, featuring the Orchestre métropolitain de Montréal, was held at Salle Claude Champagne on November 11, 2015.

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Yannick NézetSéguin is partial to the cause, as two members of the orchestra have been affected by kidney disease. Over the course of the evening, guests heard the moving testimonials of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, as well as Monica and Chris, a violinist and a cellist, respectively, whose daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with kidney failure and later received a transplant.

Me Anne-France Goldwater hosted the live auction. Her verve spiced up the evening to everyone’s delight.

THE EVENT’S SUCCESS WAS DUE IN PART TO CO-CHAIRS SYLVIE CHARBONNEAU (LEFT), PRESIDENT OF BRIO CONSEILS, WHO GAVE HER SON A KIDNEY IN 2012, AND MUHC NEPHROLOGIST DR. DANA BARAN. (Photo credit: Dominic Fuizzotto Photography)

We would like to thank all the sponsors of this memorable event

Used auto parts

Division de Néphrologie du CUSM/ Programme de Transplantation Multi-organe du CUSM The MUHC Division of Nephrology & The MUHC Multi – Organ Transplant Program

MONTREAL GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $190,000 (Photo credit: Dominic Fuizzotto Photography)

On September 17, 2015, the Foundation held its annual golf tournament at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, raising $190,000 for the cause.

Under the leadership of honorary chairman Tony Loffreda, CPA (Illinois), Regional VP, Commercial Financial Services, Western Quebec, RBC Royal Bank, and chairman Luciano D’Ignazio, CA, CPA and partner at Schwartz Levitsky Feldman, the tournament has become one of the Foundation’s most prestigious fundraisers.

LEFT TO RIGHT: LUCIANO D’IGNAZIO, CPA, CA, PARTNER, SCHWARTZ, LEVITSKY, FELDMAN, LLP, AND CHAIR OF THE GOLF TOURNAMENT SIMON BRODEUR, PRESIDENT OF THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA, QUEBEC BRANCH CATHERINE VERDON-DIAMOND, HOST OF BREAKFAST TV AND THE 2015 GOLF TOURNAMENT TONY LOFFREDA, CPA (ILLINOIS), REGIONAL VP, COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, WESTERN QUEBEC, RBC ROYAL BANK AND HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE GOLF TOURNAMENT

SPONSORS LOGOS

“We are infinitely grateful to the Organizing Committee and the countless volunteers for their dedication, as well as to the golfers and cherished sponsors who have contributed to the event’s continued success.” Catherine VerdonDiamond, host of morning show Breakfast TV. A big thank-you to the sponsors and corporate foursomes who helped make the event a success.

CORPORATE FOURSOMES AND TEE-OFF SPONSORS Allstate Assurance Catalogna et Frères Ltée Delmar International Inc. Dynamic Mutual Funds Fidelity Investments Fonex Data Systems Inc. Intermarché LAGORIA – SAINT-LÉONARD

BBQ: SILA-PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES VIAU INC., COCKTAILS: DENTONS, FIELD BARS: CONGLOM, BRUNCH: THE CHELMINSKI FAMILY FOUNDATION

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The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

J.E. Mondou Ltée Kenny U-PULL / Used auto parts Miller Thomson I Lawyers Nicholas Di Tomaso, Attorney Orthodontistes Di Battista – Rousseau, orthodontists

Oxford Properties Group Pharmascience Sprott Asset Management LP TD Commercial Banking Teracon gestion immobilière Laurentian Bank Securities

NEWS FROM THE CHAPTERS

JEAN-JACQUES BÉGIN BENEFIT DINNER RAISES RECORD AMOUNT On November 6, 2015, the 21st edition of the Eastern Townships Chapter’s Jean-Jacques Bégin Benefit Dinner raised $30,847.

Inc. Nearly 200 guests came out to support the Foundation and people with kidney disease.

The 21st edition of the Jean-Jacques Bégin Benefit Dinner for The Kidney Foundation of Canada was hosted by honorary president Jacques Fortier, PAA, Claims Adjuster and Managing Director of Déry Barrette & Associés

“I would like to personally thank everyone who helped make this event a success. The Kidney Foundation of Canada will be able to keep offering patient support and awareness programs,” said Mr. Fortier.

The evening was hosted by Richard Lavallée, who donated a kidney to his son Marc-Antoine, and Eastern Townships Chapter president Josée Parenteau, who had a kidney transplant eight years ago.

“Seeing all the support for the Foundation during this dinner gives us so much hope.”

– Richard Lavallée and Josée Parenteau, volunteers with the Eastern Townships Chapter.

FOUNDATION RECEIVES $1,000 DONATION AT THE GATINEAU EN COULEURS SYMPOSIUM Held from November 6 to 8, 2015, the 8th annual Gatineau en Couleurs symposium brought together 70 painters and sculptors from the Outaouais and other regions of Quebec. The Foundation was invited to promote organ donation among the public.

Thanks to brisk sales at a raffle for a painting by guest of honour Hélène Denis, the Symposium’s organizers were able to hand a $1,000 cheque to Richard Leblanc, the Symposium’s honorary president and president of the Outaouais Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

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GO DIGITAL FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $50 BEST BUY GIFT CARD Simply sign up for the electronic version of our newsletter by March 10, 2016, and you’ll receive the latest issues of our Kidney Community Newsletter in digital format, along with all the latest news from the Foundation.

When you do, you’ll help the Foundation save on production and printing costs compared with the paper version of the newsletter, not to mention reducing our environmental impact.

To register, visit our site: kidney.ca/quebec

SYMPOSIUM CHAIR MONIQUE ROULEAU AND RICHARD LEBLANC, KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA - OUTAOUAIS CHAPTER PRESIDENT

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

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PATIENT SERVICES

FULL HOUSE AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON KIDNEY FAILURE PREVENTION

Attended by over 120 people, the symposium on chronic kidney failure prevention was held in Montérégie on Friday, October 23, 2015. The symposium, held to provide professionals with information about chronic kidney failure, was attended by general practitioners, nurses, dieticians and pharmacists from the Montérégie’s local community health centres (CLSCs), nursing homes (CHSLDs), family clinics and medical centres.

The symposium’s multi­ faceted goal was to help participants understand: • the chronic kidney failure situation in Quebec today • the importance of pre­ venting the condition • kidney failure’s impact on patients, society and the economy • the risk factors underlying the onset of chronic kidney failure • the medical means available to prevent its onset (prevention) • the importance of recognizing and treating the condition’s medical complications • the appropriate time to refer a patient for renal replacement (dialysis or transplant)

Thanks to our partner:

A big thanks to our guest speakers: • Dr. Pierre Cartier, Nephrologist, Saint-Jérôme Hospital • Dr. Olivier Diec, Nephrologist, CISSS Montérégie-Centre

THE KIDNEY WALK WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2016

Join us in celebrating the Quebec Kidney Walk’s 10th anniversary on Sunday, May 29, 2016.

Sign up for our newsletter at kidney.ca/quebec for all the news about the 2016 Kidney Walk. See you there!

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• Sylvie Simard, Nurse clinician, CISSS Montérégie-Centre • Danielle Fournier, Nurse, CISSS MontérégieCentre • Annie Zaor, Pharmacist, CISSS MontérégieCentre • Marie-Philip Lalancette, Nurse clinician, CISSS Montérégie-Centre • Isabelle Nadeau, Clinical nutritionist (Nephrology), CISSS Montérégie-Centre • Brigitte Gagnon, testimonial, transplant recipient, CISSS Montérégie-Centre

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) on April 30, 2016, at 1:30 p.m., at the Sandman Hotel Montreal - Longueuil, located at 999 De Sérigny Street in Longueuil.

Members of the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada are asked to register by April 2, 2016, by calling Jocelyne Renaud at 514-938-4515 or 1-800-565-4515, extension 230.

PATIENT SERVICES

TAX SEASON IS ALMOST HERE! HERE ARE A FEW TIPS

With tax season is just around the corner, you may not know that people living with kidney failure are entitled to tax credits. The fiscal aid measures most commonly used by nephrology patients are the Medical Expense Tax Credit and the Disability Tax Credit.

The Medical Expense Tax Credit is a nonrefundable tax credit that can be applied to a wide range of medical and related expenses, such as health care, transportation costs, medications, dental expenses, health insurance

and alterations made to the home in order to install a dialysis machine. Medical costs incurred outside the patient’s home province can also be included. You are allowed to claim medical costs for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and with certain restrictions, other dependents. With some exceptions (transportation), you must produce receipts for all expenses.

The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that lowers the tax payable on the tax returns of people with a disability or those

who support them. If you are eligible, the credit could lower the amount of taxes you pay. If you have no taxes to pay, you may transfer the credit to a spouse or other person who supports you. We recommend that all dialysis patients submit a Disability Tax Credit form.

The information provided above is general in nature and does not necessarily apply to all circumstances. This information is available on the CRA website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca, at your local tax office or by calling 1-800-267-6999.

ADRIEN, a film on the reality of dialysis and organ donation, coming March 15 to DVD. A definite must-see!

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION TÜBINGEN I STUTTGART INTERNATIONAL FRENCH-LANGUAGE FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTION

OFFICIAL COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL WOMEN FILM FESTIVAL OF SALÉ

CANADIAN CINEMA SERIES CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

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ORGAN DONATION

A NEW LIFE FOR MARYSE GILBERT

VIRGINIE ROY AND MARYSE GILBERT

Maryse Gilbert has suffered from kidney failure for six years and she needed a new kidney. After three potential donors turned out to be incompatible, she began losing hope. But on the day of her birthday, August 15, 2014, she met a stranger in a bar who literally gave her a second life.

Maryse chokes up when she talks about Virginie’s decision to give up one of her kidneys: “Virginie is my birthday present. Words can’t describe what she did for me.”

“Sacrificing a part of yourself to save someone’s life is an incredible thing to do.”

Maryse Gilbert Maryse Gilbert was not suffering from an illness that leads to kidney disease. She was simply unlucky and at 43, found out that her kidneys were failing. She was in denial for a long time. It was like a bad dream and she couldn’t accept her situation. “This can’t be happening to me,” she said, convinced that the doctors had the wrong file. As the years passed, her kidneys deteriorated and were functioning at 18% of normal capacity, making her eligible for a transplant. Her ex-husband and daughter both got tested to find out if they were compatible, but they weren’t.

A decisive encounter The morning of her birthday, on August 15, 2014, she got a call announcing that a third potential donor, a colleague from work, would not be able to donate his kidney because of a lack of compatibility.

Disheartened, Maryse didn’t feel like attending her own birthday dinner with her daughter and son-in-law. Her husband convinced her to go, saying that it would help take her mind off things. After a very emotion-packed meal, | 8 |

they decided to go play pool at their favourite bar, where Maryse met the bar’s sprightly, smiling new barmaid, Virginie Roy, after some of the regulars urged her to introduce herself.

A conversation ensued and the two women hit it off. They also realized that Maryse had previously helped Virginie’s brother when he had been going through a hard time.

As they conversed, Maryse had a confession for Virginie: “You’re my ray of sunshine! My day got off to a rotten start, but you’ve made me feel so much better.” That was when Maryse revealed that she was awaiting a kidney and that a third potential donor had turned out to be incompatible. On hearing Maryse’s words, and without giving it a second thought, Virginie responded point blank: “You need a kidney? I’ll give you one!

I’ve always wanted to help someone.”

Maryse appreciated the offer, fully aware that the many offers she’d received over the years hadn’t panned out.”

“I’d never really heard much about living donation. As far as I knew, it was kind of like giving blood,” said Virginie Roy, 24, a mother of two children aged 3 and 4.

After work, Virginie went home and announced to her husband that she was going to donate a kidney to a woman she had just met in a bar.

He thought it was just a passing fancy, but it wasn’t. “When I put my mind to something, I have to see it through,” said Virginie.

A roller-coaster ride In January 2015, the tests concluded that the  women were indeed compatible and, against all odds, in March, the doctor proposed an April transplant date. Caught off guard, Virginie rejected the date, citing prior engagements.

At that point, Maryse’s kidneys were functioning at around 12% of capacity and a doctor insisted that she begin dialysis, but she refused. Not surprisingly, her health was deteriorating fast. As for Virginie, she lost her job and had to put her studies on hold because of the many tests she was undergoing.

The transplant was scheduled for September 18, but some further tests showed that Maryse had potentially precancerous growths in her left breast. As a result, the transplant was cancelled at the last minute. After appealing to Daétan Bourget, the living donation coordinator at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, and pressing him for an early date, Maryse and Virginie finally got their transplant date: September 28, 2015. In the end, subsequent analyses concluded that Maryse had no immediate breast cancer risk.

After the transplant took place, Virginie spent a week recovering in hospital. However, Maryse stayed for nine days because of the nausea, painful wounds and trouble with medication doses she was experiencing.

“As far as kidney disease was concerned, I was lucky because I never went on dialysis.”

Maryse Gilbert

Two days later and after giving it some serious thought, she confirmed to Maryse that she still wanted to be her donor. In October 2014, the two women began undergoing a battery of compatibility tests. While the results looked good from the outset, Maryse kept a realistic outlook, knowing that everything could change in a heartbeat and that Virginie could bail out.

But the dark clouds had a silver lining.

Immediately before the operation, Maryse’s creatinine levels were at 480 and her kidney function was at 9%. Seven days later, her creatinine had dropped to 81 and her kidney function had jumped to 76% of capacity, the equivalent of someone with two perfectly healthy kidneys.

“I wanted a kidney from someone I knew,” said Maryse, who invited her over a number of times.

She recovered steadily and a month after the transplant Maryse was able to get back to running on her treadmill.

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

PLANNED GIVING AND THIRD-PARTY EVENTS

BEQUESTS

THIRD-PARTY EVENTS

Bequests provide concrete economic spin-offs for the Foundation, which acquires the means to fund its programs and services and to support research.

Regardless of how you plan your bequest, please see it as a lasting investment in a cause you care about.

Third-party events are organized by volunteers dedicated to the fight against kidney failure. Here are a few of the events held as a result of personal initiatives. Do you have an idea for a special event you’d like to organize? Contact Patrick Marais at 514-938-4515, extension 233, or patrick.marais@kidney.ca.

The start of the new year provides us with an opportunity to wish you all the best for the year ahead, while allowing us to express gratitude and thanks for your donations and commitment. Here are just two of the many good reasons we wish to thank you.

Research Because of your generosity, the Quebec Branch has provided researchers like Dr. Réjean Lapointe (see page 10) with grants to keep conducting research on kidney disease.

Patient programs and services A dozen different programs and services are available to patients, including: • Emergency fund: In 2015, the Foundation’s emergency fund, which is managed jointly with social workers at a number of medical centres, helped hundreds of patients in need.

• Study grants: In 2014 and 2015, around 30 study grants were awarded to patients wishing to resume their CEGEP or university studies.

The first-ever Francis Lacelle benefit show is a huge success

On October 24 and 25, Francis Lacelle put on a benefit pop/rock show for over 200 people in the performance hall at Longueuil’s Collège Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes to promote organ donation. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, the event raised over $5,000, which will help fund research programs, patient services and organ donation awareness initiatives.

The audience enjoyed performances by artists Marie-Pier Hébert, Alexandra Taradjian, Émilie Janvier and Nicolas Patterson, who came together to put on an amazing, up-closeand-personal show. Students and teachers at this professional and vocational school in Longueuil also helped make the event the resounding success it was.

$862 raised at a style-a-thon held at Salon Miron in Vieux-Terrebonne

MS. MIRON HANDED A CHEQUE TO JACQUES DUPUIS, KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA REPRESENTATIVE AND CHAIR OF THE SUD-LANAUDOISE KIDNEY WALK ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

A style-a-thon was held on November 5 and 6 at Karina Miron’s hair salon in VieuxTerrebonne. Through this wonderful initiative, Karina was able to hand an $862 cheque to The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Karina Morin is the mother of three-year-old Rémi Pelletier, who received a kidney from his father in 2014. Little Rémi was on dialysis from the day he was born until he underwent the transplant that saved his life. With such a personal connection to kidney disease, Karina Miron wanted to help the Foundation and make a difference in the lives of people living with kidney failure.

Christmas trees for the cause

Knights of Columbus brunch brings together 400 people in Chambly

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A TESTAMENTARY DONATION? If you would like to learn more about how to make your own bequest, please contact Martin Munger at martin.munger@kidney.ca or 1-800-565-4515, extension 231.

On November 15, 2015, the Knights of Columbus and volunteers from the South Shore Chapter organized a benefit brunch at Chambly’s Très–Saint-Coeur-de-Marie church.

Over 400 people attended the brunch and in the end, a $500 cheque was handed over to the Foundation along with a further $150 in cash donated during the event. Congratulations and thanks to the organizers!

The weekend before Christmas, Geneviève Duquette and Frédéric Viens sold their stock of Brome Lake region Christmas trees and donated $1 for every tree sold. Geneviève’s brother Georges-Édouard had unexpectedly lost the use of his kidneys. After their mother, Sylvie Bourgetel, gave him one of her kidneys, he was able to complete his university studies and start working. Now, the family wants to raise awareness about organ donation while helping the Foundation pursue its mission.

Hats off to this wonderful initiative!

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

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RESEARCH

A RESEARCHER FUNDED BY THE FOUNDATION DEVELOPS A SMART GEL THAT ATTACKS KIDNEY CANCER A new, injectable biogel has been proven effective in delivering cancerfighting agents directly into cancerous tumours and destroying them. Designed by researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), the technology has been tested successfully in the lab. If it proves effective in patients, this therapeutic gel could revolutionize treatments against a number of cancers.

Unlike JELL-O, this biogel is a liquid at room temperature and becomes a gel at body temperature (37°C). “The biogel’s strength lies in the fact that it is compatible with anticancer immune cells. It is used to encapsulate the cells so they can be injected into or immediately next to the tumour using a syringe or catheter. Instead of injecting anticancer cells or medications into the body via the bloodstream, we can attack the cancer locally.

We hope this targeted approach will improve current immune therapies,” explained Réjean Lapointe, CRCHUM researcher and co-author of a study published in the October 2015 issue of science journal Biomaterials.

One form of immunotherapy, which is known as adoptive cellular therapy, consists in treating cancer patients with anticancer immune cells.

These cells, known as T lymphocytes or T

Réjean Lapointe, Ph.D., received a $100,000 Kidney Foundation research grant. He is an associate professor in the department of medicine at Université de Montréal and director of the immuno-oncology lab at CRCHUM.

RÉJEAN LAPOINTE, PH.D.

cells, are produced naturally by the body and are able to destroy cancer cells. The problem is that they are generally too weak and too few to eradicate cancer on their own. The challenge is therefore to grow T cells in a lab—often they’re the patient’s own cells—so they can be reinjected into the patient’s blood.

Immunotherapy has yielded promising results in cases of advanced cancers. But it’s not always possible to generate enough T cells, and then there are the toxic effects of high doses of interleukin 2, a hormone added to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. “With our system, we need only a few tens of thousands

THE FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER GETS A FACELIFT Seven years after moving to colour and adopting a new layout, the Foundation’s Kidney Link newsletter has a new look and identity. Kidney Link is now the Kidney Community Newsletter and will feature a more modern and streamlined layout sure to please readers.

We hope you enjoy this first issue of the Kidney Community Newsletter and we welcome your comments at infoquebec@kidney.ca. Your opinion is important to us.

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His work focuses on describing the interactions between cancer cells and the immune system in order to develop innovative immunotherapy strategies for breast and kidney cancers. The goal is to identify a number of tumour antigens for these types of cancers and determine which immune system components are involved in the tolerance process.

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2016

of T cells instead of the billions currently used.

We will also be able to administer compounds that can basically wake up the immune system to make it fight cancer,” said Réjean Lapointe.

Réjean Lapointe is funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI), The Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)’s ThéCell cellular therapy network.

Source: University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)

GALLERIA INVESTMENTS MONTREAL INC Estate management and project development

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CONCERT “LIGHTS, MUSIC, ACTION” - 11/11/2015

Vaccination,

the best protection

Vaccine against pneumococcal The risk of death from a pneumococcal infection is greater for people with certain diseases, such as renal failure.

To receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine free of charge, ask your CLSC or your doctor during your next visit.

You can receive the pneumococcal and flu vaccines at the same time. One shot in your lifetime is usually sufficient.

sante.gouv.qc.ca/vaccination/ 15-213-03A_pneumo_rein_3X5_ang.indd 1

2015-07-23 15:13

La Division du Québec de La Fondation canadienne du rein2016

THE QUEBEC BRANCH OF THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA 2300 René-Lévesque Blvd West Montreal, Quebec H3H 2R5boul. René-Lévesque Ouest 2300, Phone: (514) 938-4515 • 1 800 565-4515 (Québec) H3H 2R5 Fax: (514) 938-4757Montréal • infoquebec@kidney.ca Tél. : (514) 938-4515 • 1 800 565-4515 www.kidney.ca/quebec

Téléc. : (514) 938-4757 • infoquebec@rein.ca

www.rein.ca/quebec

HOW TO HELP

I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER

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2015

 I wouldNOUS like to receive information about volunteering with The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Quebec Branch POUR AIDER  I would like to make a donation

Je souhaite devenir membre de la Division du Québec de Full name La Fondation canadienne du rein Address

• Recevez le Bulletin et le Cahier Santé • Soyez informés de nos activités City Nom

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Oui, je suis âgé(e) d’au moins 18 ans et je veux devenir membre La Fondation canadienne du rein. ❒DONATION FORM Veuillez trouver ci-joint ma cotisation de membre au montant de 10 $.

I WOULD LIKE TO aux DONATE TO THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA Aucun reçu officiel fins de l’impôt ne sera envoyé pour votre cotisation de membre.

Les renseignements que vous nous avez donnés sont utilisés à titre administratif pour émettre des reçus fiscaux. Nous ne les conservons pas électroniquement.

Please find enclosed my donation for: $20m’envoyer  $35le bulletin  $50  $100  suivante Other amount par courriel à l’adresse : ❒ S.V.P. (Je fais aussi économiser la Fondation des frais postaux)

TOTAL CONTRIBUTION =

Jesouhaite faireout untodon La Fondation canadienne Cheque made TheàKidney Foundation of Canada.du rein Oui, je désire faire un don à La Fondation canadienne du rein. Veuillez trouver ci-joint mon don au montant de :  MasterCard ❒ Visa $ number Autre ❒ 20 ❒ 35 $ ❒ 50 $ ❒ 100 $ Credit card Contribution totale = Signature ❒ Chèque libellé à l’ordre de La Fondation canadienne du rein.

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Signature Date  Please remove my name from your mailing lists.

Un reçu officiel pour fins d’impôt sera émis pour tout don de 20 $ et plus.

We will use the information contained in this form to send you news about kidney health and advances in research, to keep you informed about the social issues surrounding patient care, and notify you of our various outreach initiatives and fundraising activities.

JeIfsouhaite m’impliquer bénévolement (SVP indiquez-nous quelle région) you would prefer not to be contacted regarding any of the above, please call us dans toll-free at 1-877-361-4947.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue Mauricie allow thirty (30) business days for changes❒ to Montérégie be processed. ❒ Montréal ❒ Outaouais ❒ Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ❒ Québec ❒Please ❒ Estrie ❒your

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