The kidney community newsletter | Fall 2018

FALL 2018

The Kidney Foundation of Canada – Quebec Branch

newsletter GREAT NEWS FOR PATIENTS

Quebec creates a new living donor program page 2

NUTRITION AND KIDNEY FAILURE

A good diet is often key to good health pages 8 and 9

KIDNEY CAR

A MOTHER’S PERSONAL MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT KIDNEY DISEASE page 6

News about the Kidney Car program page 13

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.

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.

Articles may be reproduced provided that proper credit is given.

WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A NEW LIVING DONATION PROGRAM FOR QUEBEC: GREAT NEWS FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH KIDNEY DISEASE The Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada applauds the creation of a provincial living donor kidney transplant program, excellent news for the 519 patients awaiting a kidney in Quebec.

As a result, 50 additional people a year will have a transplant and the waiting list will get shorter going forward.

The new Quebec Living Donor Program comes in the wake of a successful pilot project carried out by Dr. Michel R. Pâquet, a nephrologist at CHUM and Chair of the Foundation’s Organ Donation Committee, at the request of the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

The pilot project saw five kidney transplantation centres in Quebec sharing their know-how and taking inspiration from practices in use outside the province to implement a set of best practices for living donor kidney transplants.

We applaud this announcement, which cements years of work by The Kidney Foundation of Canada and the province’s kidney transplantation centres. People awaiting a kidney transplant had long been hoping that resources would be made available to promote organ donation. A living donor kidney transplant is the most effective renal replacement treatment available, offering the most promising long-term outcomes and ensuring the best possible quality of life for people suffering from end-stage renal failure.

The launch of this program will make it possible to inject the necessary resources into the healthcare system to double the number of living donor kidney transplants—currently, some 50 such transplants are carried out each year. The additional 50 transplants that the program will enable will yield savings of over $110 million for the healthcare system. And that does not even take into account the positive impacts for society as a whole and for all those who will be able to return to an active life after the transplant. People who have a transplant thanks to a living donor will be withdrawn from the waiting list for those awaiting a kidney from a deceased donor. As a result, the waiting time for those still on the list will automatically get shorter. Furthermore, the program will lead to improved coordination of the entire transplantation process and will accelerate the steps for both donor and recipient.

The Foundation wishes to thank the Government of Quebec, Dr. Michel R. Pâquet and the five kidney transplant centres for making the pilot project and subsequently the Quebec Living Donor Program possible.

Learn more about this new living donation program.

Sylvie Charbonneau President The Kidney Foundation of Canada Quebec Branch

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Martin Munger Executive Director The Kidney Foundation of Canada Quebec Branch

ADVOCACY

THE FOUNDATION REACTS TO INESSS’S RECOMMENDATION AGAINST ADDING TOLVAPTAN TO THE LIST OF MEDICATIONS COVERED

BY QUEBEC’S PUBLIC DRUG INSURANCE PLAN

The enlargement of these cysts causes pain, leads to the gradual deterioration of kidney function and can ultimately lead to end-stage renal disease, which requires expensive and invasive treatments, and in the most serious cases, a kidney transplant.

The Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada has informed the province’s Health and Social Services Minister (as well as the health critics of the main political parties) of its great disappointment with the recent negative recommendation issued by the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) that tolvaptan be excluded from the list of medications covered by the public drug insurance plan for people suffering from polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Considering that tolvaptan is the only known drug capable of slowing the progression of the disease and improving patients’ quality of life, this recommendation is deeply disappointing. Despite a lack of consensus among the panel of experts, INESSS has upheld its previous decision and has recommended that the drug not be included on the list.

As you know, PKD is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple, continuously growing cysts in both kidneys, which can cause them to grow five to 10 times their normal size.

The Foundation is in constant contact with nephrologists who spend their days working with patients with kidney disease. We know that these experts have witnessed the treatment’s benefits in those patients fortunate enough to be reimbursed for the drugs through a private insurance policy and the exception patient measure offered by the province’s health insurance board, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

INESSS’s recommendation against listing the drug only serves to reinforce the unequal treatment between beneficiaries of public and private drug insurance plans.

Martin Munger Executive Director The Kidney Foundation of Canada Quebec Branch

The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

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OUR EVENTS IN REVIEW

THE 12th ANNUAL KIDNEY WALK: A GREAT MOBILIZATION OF THE RENAL COMMUNITY The 2018 Kidney Walk was held in May, June and September in 25 cities across Quebec, where thousands of walkers joined forces for the kidney disease cause.

This major event, which over the years has become a key activity for all Foundation supporters, raised $535,000 this time around. The funds will go toward research and patient programs and services, to give the thousands of people with kidney disease or those awaiting a transplant hope for better days.

This year, two new Walks born out of local volunteer involvement were added to the list of Kidney Walk events held across the province. The first-ever Gaspé Kidney Walk took place on Promenade Jacques Cartier on September 15, and on September 30 in Saint-Mathiassur-Richelieu, Foundation supporters gathered at Salle Pauline-Casavant.

The Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada would like to thank all the participants and local and national partners, as well as all the donors, who supported the 24 Kidney Walk events and the Tour de rein cycling event this year.

The Foundation would also like to thank the honorary chairs and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event such a huge success. Without their contribution, the Kidney Walk would not have been possible. See you next year!

A WONDERFUL WEEK AT THE KIDS’ SUMMER CAMP IN SAINT-ALPHONSERODRIGUEZ

The Kids’ Summer Camp run by the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada was held from August 6 to 12.

This year, 45 young dialysis patients and transplant recipients took part. The camp gives kids living with kidney disease and those who’ve had a kidney transplant a chance to have some fun in the summer sun in a setting specially adapted to their unique needs. It also provided parents with a week of welldeserved R&R with complete peace of mind.

Thanks to a team of medical volunteers from the Montreal Children’s Hospital and Sainte-Justine Hospital, children got to enjoy a weeklong vacation while continuing their treatments. The camp is also an opportunity for children to swap stories with other kids like themselves and make new and special friendships. Many thanks to everyone who supports the Foundation’s Kids’ Camp!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Fédération Italienne St-Joseph

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The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

OUR EVENTS IN REVIEW

TWO MAJOR EVENTS ARE AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS MONTREAL GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $235,000 On September 5, over 200 golfers poured onto the course despite the sizzling heat to play in the Foundation’s 20th annual Golf Classic at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, North America’s oldest.

Co-chaired by Luciano D’Ignazio, CPA, CA, partner at Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP, Stéphane Achard, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking and Insurance at the National Bank of Canada, Dr. Rita Sury, MD, FRCPC, Nephrologist at CHUM, and Tony Loffreda, CPA (Illinois), Vice-Chairman, RBC Wealth Management, the annual Golf Classic raised over $235,000 and has become one of the Foundation’s most prestigious fundraising events.

We are eternally grateful to the Steering Committee and the countless volunteers for their dedication, as well as to the golfers and cherished sponsors who have contributed to the Golf Classic’s resounding success over the past 20 years.

WE WISH TO THANK OUR CHERISHED SPONSORS AIGLE

Dr Rita Suri Medicine Professional Corporation

Mosaiq, Conglom, Igloo, The Chelminski Family Foundation, Volvo Laval, Enseicom et Osborn & Lange Inc.

23RD QUEBEC CITY CHAPTER GOLF TOURNAMENT – $50,000 FOR THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA The Quebec Chapter’s benefit tournament for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, held at the Les Pins golf club in Saint-Alban, raised $50,000. Honorary co-chairs Jonathan Sénécal and Fernand Dufresne handed the symbolic cheque to Steering Committee members Dr. Simon Desmeules and Caroline Plante.

We would like to thank all the participants, the generous sponsors and all the dedicated volunteers who made this beautiful event possible.

We are looking forward to seeing you next year!

JONATHAN SÉNÉCAL, FERNAND DUFRESNE, SIMON DESMEULES AND CAROLINE PLANTE

The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

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THIRD-PARTY EVENTS

(CREDIT: TVR7): JEANNE BOUCHARD ARRIVING IN LES ESCOUMINS ON JULY 14.

A GREAT INITIATIVE OF JEANNE BOUCHARD WHO WALKED 250 KM IN MEMORY OF HER DAUGHTER On July 3, 2018, Jeanne Bouchard started out on foot from Quebec City on an 11-day, 250 km journey to her home town of Les Escoumins. Jeanne set herself this formidable challenge in memory of her daughter Stéphanie, who died of kidney failure in 2009. Her other daughter, Kim, also suffers from kidney disease.

Originally seeking to raise $5,000, Jeanne and her many donors ended up raising nearly $8,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

On arrival in Les Escoumins on July 14, Jeanne made an emotional visit to the cemetery in Saint-Marcellin, where her daughter Stéphanie

is buried. A benefit spaghetti supper was also held for The Kidney Foundation of Canada in the Salle de l’Âged’Or, attracting over 100 diners.

JEANNE BOUCHARD ON HER ARRIVAL AT LES ESCOUMINS CEMETERY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HER DAUGHTER STÉPHANIE

Congratulations to Jeanne for embarking on this incredible human adventure, as well as for her remarkable achievement. The Kidney Foundation of Canada admires and is very thankful for Jeanne’s perseverance.

THE 8TH ANNUAL CUNNINGHAM'S HUDSON CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT MADE A $20,000 DONATION TO THE FOUNDATION The 8th Annual Cunningham’s Hudson Charity Golf Tournament for The Kidney Foundation of Canada took place in Hudson on June 18, 2018. For the occasion, over 200 golfers took to the course at Whitlock Golf and Country Club, and $20,000 were donated to fund research, patient programs, prevention initiatives and organ donation awareness programs.

LEFT TO RIGHT: P.J. STOCK, FORMER NHL PLAYER; RON METCALFE, KIDNEY DONOR; MICHAEL WHITMORE, EYTON-JONES INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES; LYNN EYTON-JONES, EYTON-JONES INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES; MARILYN METCALFE, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT; CHRIS GOBEIL, THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA.

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The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

We wish to thank our Platinum sponsors: SBR Électrique, EYTON-JONES Insurance & Financial Services, Hudson Hardware and First Nations Wireless.

We also wish to thank our Gold and Silver sponsors without whom this tournament would not be possible.

THIRD-PARTY EVENTS

SAINT-EUGÈNE RALLY FOR A 2nd EDITION OF THE KIDNEY WALK

SAINTE-PÉTRONILLE ON ÎLE D’ORLÉANS JOIN THE KIDNEY WALK A Kidney Walk to celebrate the lives of the transplant recipients and dialysis patients of the beautiful locality of Saint-Eugèned’Argentenay, near Dolbeau, was held on April 28.

This second edition of the Walk was organized by Lisette Sauvageau, her husband Alain Sasseville and a few others who joined in to support them in their efforts. With a few hundred people and a number of sponsors taking part in the festivities, the event was a resounding success. Vegetable soup, beaver tails and an assortment of other homemade delights contributed to the success of this delightful event, which raised over $10,000 for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, doubling last year’s amount.

The funds were given over to the Foundation during the Dolbeau Kidney Walk on May 27. A huge thank-you goes out to Lisette, Alain and all the other people from Saint-Eugène-d’Argentenay who celebrated their fellow citizens while raising much appreciated funds for the Foundation.

On May 19, a Kidney Walk organized by Jean Fiset, his wife Emma, their son Bradley and a few friends and family members was held in Sainte-Pétronille on Île d’Orléans to support the Foundation and fight kidney disease.

Tripling the number of people who came out for last year’s event, around 60 walkers took part in this second edition of the Walk, which raised over $3,000 for the Foundation.

This year, the walkers were joined by Dr. Agharazii, who spoke of the Walk’s importance and said a few words about kidney disease.

Sainte-Pétronille’s local businesses generously donated door prizes for the Walk, an event made even livelier by the delightful, crowd-pleasing music of a djembe quartet. We wish to extend our warmest thanks to Mr. Fiset and his team for this hugely successful initiative!

You also want to start a Kidney Walk in your community and support people living with kidney disease! We can help you! Contact Dany Babin at 1-800-565-4515 ext. 232 or dany.babin@rein.ca

DIANE BARBEAU, FORMER MNA AND KIDNEY PATIENT, TELLS HER STORY June 6, 2018, marked the release of Une histoire médicale bouleversante, a book that tells the story of a strong and courageous woman, Diane Barbeau, who has been living with kidney disease for 15 years.

“Diane's life was the stuff of dreams. She was a Minister FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH in the National Assembly, A DISEASE THAT CLAIMED BOTH OF HER KIDNEYS, FORMER MNA DIANE BARBEAU DECIDED TO WRITE A involved in her community, in BOOK TO TELL HER STORY. love with a handsome Scot, and expecting her first child. Her life was smooth sailing until, one day during her seventh month of pregnancy, everything capsized and she

ended up at the emergency room. Her blood pressure was abnormally high, and the baby's life was in danger. The doctors ordered complete rest. On February 14, 2003, after learning that she had a rare form of kidney cancer, she underwent an emergency Caesarian section and gave birth to her daughter, Michelle. Faced with a seemingly endless series of obstacles, Diane felt her life spiralling out of control, becoming one marked by mourning, limitations and gut-wrenching choices. Yet through it all, she faced these challenges with astounding strength.”

- Marie Deraîche.

This story of hope and strength introduces us to an extremely resilient woman who loves life despite everything. A lively must-read book!

Priced at $20, the book can be ordered by calling the Quebec Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada at 418-683-1449, or by visiting the author’s Facebook page: dianebarbeau2018.

The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

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NUTRITION AND KIDNEY FAILURE

A GOOD DIET IS OFTEN KEY TO GOOD HEALTH

If you suffer from kidney failure, improving your eating habits could help you enjoy greater wellbeing and better manage your illness.

your nutritionist. Most healthy individuals should eat 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of weight per day. In cases of kidney failure, protein needs will range from 0.8 to 1.5 g/kg/day.

What do I have to watch out for in my diet?

Protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, fluids, caloric intake, saturated fats and carbohydrates all play an important role in your diet. Your nutritionist will work with you to plan a daily menu that takes into account your personal needs, age and medical history, as well as the state of your kidneys. In the end, you’ll get to choose the foods that help you feel as well as possible and, if need be, try to slow the deterioration of your renal function.

Recipe suggestion: Curry Lime Pork Kebabs

Protein Protein provides energy and generates, repairs and maintains the body’s tissues. It also helps fight infections and heal wounds. When the body digests protein, a waste product called urea is produced.

How much protein can I have?

You need to monitor your protein intake. The quantity your body can absorb daily depends on your healthy weight and will be determined by

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The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

Energy-rich foods When your kidney function declines, the taste of the foods you eat may be affected. Excess waste in your blood could cause a range of problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your doctor or nutritionist.

High-energy foods provide you with the strength (calories) you need to go about your daily business and help you maintain a healthy weight.

How much energy do I need?

When monitoring your protein intake, it is important to source the energy you need from other food sources and consume enough calories to prevent weight loss, while maintaining a sufficient intake of nutrients. Your nutritionist will give you advice and help you determine your energy requirements (calories).

NUTRITION AND KIDNEY FAILURE

Sodium Sodium, a key element of table salt, plays a role in regulating blood pressure; the body needs it for retaining water.

How much sodium can I have?

In general, you should limit your sodium intake to 2 to 3 grams/day. Your nutritionist can tell you which foods to avoid.

Too much sodium Too much sodium makes you thirsty and makes you want to drink more.

Sodium then causes your body to retain water, which can cause swelling, high blood pressure and shortness of breath.

Sodium-rich foods Foods with a high sodium content tend to be processed foods such as deli meats (ham, bacon, sausages, etc.), canned foods, ready-made and microwave meals, salty snacks (chips, pretzels, crackers, etc.), pickles and salty seasonings.

It is recommended that you: • avoid high-salt foods (do not use table salt and limit the amount you add to your dishes when cooking) • use spices and herbs that contain no added salt, along with vinegar and lemon, to improve the flavour of unsalted foods • avoid salt substitutes, which are rich in potassium.

Recipe suggestion: Shrimp and Apple Stir Fry* Potassium Found in a wide variety of foods, potassium is a chemical element that helps regulate heart and muscle function.

How much potassium can I have?

You do need some potassium to stay healthy, but too much can be dangerous. Normally, the kidneys extract potassium from the blood, but when they’re failing, your blood potassium levels can start climbing. An overly high or low blood potassium level can affect your heartbeat.

Phosphorus (phosphate) Phosphorus is a mineral that usually helps keep your bones strong and healthy.

How much phosphorus can I have?

Once kidney function starts to decline, blood phosphorus levels increase. You may therefore need to limit your intake of certain foods containing even moderate amounts of phosphorus.

Too much phosphorus Excessive phosphorus can cause itching and muscle, bone or joint pain, as well as bone decalcification, which causes your bones to become more fragile.

Phosphorus-rich foods Foods rich in phosphorus include dairy products, seeds, nuts, legumes and whole-grain cereals.

Recipe suggestion: One Pot Mediterranean Chicken & Pasta -----------For more information about the programs and services offered by the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada: 1-800-565-4515 or www.kidney.ca/quebec

All our recipe ideas originate from the Kidney Community Kitchen website at kidneycommunitykitchen.ca and are specially adapted for people living with kidney disease.

People living with early-stage (mild) kidney failure are not necessarily required to restrict their potassium intake, but once kidney failure progresses to a more advanced stage, restricting potassium intake becomes important. If necessary, your doctor and nutritionist can advise you on how to adjust your potassium intake.

Too much potassium Very high potassium levels can lead to heart failure.

Potassium-rich foods Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, squash, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, legumes (aka pulses), nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, dried mushrooms, dried fruits, avocados and cantaloupe.

Recipe suggestion: Jamaican Steamed Fish*

A big thank-you to Céline Quintin, a nephrology nutritionist from CHUM’s Notre-Dame Hospital, for her invaluable help in drafting the initial version of this document.

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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

THE FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE “RÊVERIES” BENEFIT CONCERT FEATURING THE ORCHESTRE MÉTROPOLITAIN The Kidney Foundation of Canada is pleased to invite you to the 4th edition of the New Lease on Life Benefit Concert on November 22, 2018, at 6 p.m. at the Maison symphonique de Montréal.

Your support will help raise funds for the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. The funds will go toward medical research, patient services and advocating for quality care for all people living with kidney disease in Quebec.

This edition will feature violinist Kerson Leong, the Orchestra’s soloist in residence, accompanied by assistant conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Kensho Watanabe. The program includes Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Korngold’s Violin Concerto and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1, one of the composer’s most sophisticated pieces.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a magical evening.

THE DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGN CONTINUES THIS FALL

THE FOUNDATION WILL AGAIN TAKE PART IN THE SCOTIABANK CHARITY CHALLENGE

The second stage of the 2018 Door-to-Door Campaign will take place this fall. We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who supports this campaign. Thanks to you, we can continue pursuing our mission and honouring the Foundation’s commitments to research, patient services and organ donation.

We will be active in a number of regions throughout Quebec and need your help in the North Shore cities of Sept-Îles and Baie-Comeau, in the Beauce region, in Metropolitan Quebec City, and in Lennoxville and Coaticook in the Eastern Townships.

For questions or comments, or to give us a hand, get in touch with Maryse Néron at 418-683-1449 or maryse.neron@kidney.ca.

Thanks again and wish us luck for this second stage of the door-to-door campaign! | 10 |

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For more on the evening’s program and to purchase tickets, visit the concert’s website at kidney.ca/benefitconcert

If you enjoy a good challenge, especially one that involves running, then we’ve got just the thing for you! Join the Foundation for the next Scotiabank Charity Challenge, an opportunity to take part in a major sporting event while raising money for a good cause.

In Quebec today, 550,000 people are affected by kidney failure. Take part in the season’s first race and help improve the lives of everyone living with kidney disease.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge will take place on April 20 and 21, 2019, at Jean-Drapeau Park in Montreal. The event will include a number of races—choose from among the Montreal kids’ race and the 5K, 10K and 21K races.

In 2017, the 79 participating charities raised a total of $1.2 million and $13,000 have been raised for the Foundation.

For more information or to register, contact Dany Babin at 1-800-565-4515, ext. 232, or dany.babin@rein.ca

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

MARK YOUR CALENDAR SHERBROOKE J.J. Bégin Benefit Dinner November 2

CALENDAR

MONTREAL New Lease on Life Benefit Concert – November 22

THE 2018 JEAN-JACQUES BÉGIN BENEFIT DINNER WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 2 The Jean-Jacques Bégin Benefit Dinner for the Eastern Townships Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada starts at 5:30 p.m. on November 2, 2018, at the Sherbrooke Golf Club.

SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU Bowling Bash – November 3 Spaghetti Supper (evening show) – November 24 TROIS-RIVIÈRES Spaghetti Lunch – October 14 Christmas Dinners Outaouais: Hull, Maniwaki and Buckingham dialysis centre Abitibi: Val-d’Or, Rouyn-Noranda, La Sarre and Témiscamingue For more information on our events and activities, contact Dany Babin at 1-800-565-4515, ext. 232, or dany.babin@rein.ca

Now in its 24th year, this annual event is named in honour of JeanJacques Bégin, a long-time, active Foundation volunteer who was well known in the region. This event unlike any other in the Eastern Townships—an oyster dinner and all-you-can-eat buffet—is a delightful opportunity to support the kidney disease cause.

This year’s event will be taking place thanks to honorary chair Guy Fauteux, FCPA, FCA, Vice-president – Eastern Townships Region, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton For more information and details on purchasing tickets, contact Josée Parenteau at 819-564-2440 or fondationreinestrie@gmail.com

THE SAGUENAY/LAC-SAINTJEAN CHAPTER IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS Would you like to volunteer for a good cause and make a difference in the lives of thousands of people living with kidney disease in Quebec? Join our team of volunteers at the Saguenay/Lac Saint-Jean Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada!

By volunteering, you can help us raise public awareness about the warning signs of this affliction, especially among at-risk individuals; promote research on early diagnosis, prevention and treatments; and support services that help those affected live better with their disease.

If you’re interested, please contact Nathalie Saulnier, Development Agent for the Saguenay/Lac Saint-Jean Chapter, by October 31, 2018, at 418-543-9644 or nathalie.saulnier@kidney.ca.

Thanks in advance for giving of your time to our noble cause.

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ORGAN DONATION

THE FOUNDATION CONFERS THE 2018 GIFT OF LIFE HUMANITARIAN AWARD ON THE CISSS DES LAURENTIDES

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. ÉRIC GOYER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CISSS DES LAURENTIDES; NADYNE BOLDUC, HEAD, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY, CISSS DES LAURENTIDES; VÉRONIQUE SÉGUIN, PSYCHOEDUCATOR, CISSS DES LAURENTIDES; CLAUDE PROULX, VICE-PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS AND PATIENT SERVICES, THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA, QUEBEC BRANCH, AND ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION RESOURCE NURSE AT HÔPITAL MAISONNEUVE-ROSEMONT; JOSÉE BOLDUC, NURSE, CISSS DES LAURENTIDES

The Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada has conferred the 2018 “Gift of Life” Humanitarian Award on the CISSS des Laurentides integrated health and social services centre. The award is the Foundation’s way of recognizing the CISSS’s humanitarian efforts, which facilitated the altruistic, non-directed living kidney donation made by Véronique Séguin, a psychoeducator at the CISSS des Laurentides. Congratulations on receiving this wonderful award, admirable considering that the province’s organ donation list is 800 Quebecers long.

Of this figure, 70% are hoping for a kidney.

Despite the fact that 343 kidney transplants were performed in 2017 (including 55 through living donations), nothing can be taken

for granted when it comes to organ donation. Consequently, the Foundation will continue striving to raise public awareness and wishes to remind the public of just how vital organ donations are for people on the waiting list hoping for a new kidney.

Nominating your company is as easy as 1-2-3-4. Go to kidney.ca/humanitarian, print and complete the form, and send it off to us.

Assuming that all the criteria have been met, we will get in touch with you to start the awarding process. It’s that easy. What better way to recognize the support you or someone you know received during the donation or transplant process?

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA’S LIVING DONOR RECOGNITION PROGRAM? If you’re a living donor, you could receive a medal in recognition of your life-giving act.

THE SIZE OF A NICKEL, IT CAN BE WORN LIKE A CHARM

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To find out more about it, contact Philippe Vincent, Coordinator of Patient Programs and Services, at 514-938-4515 or 1-800-565-4515, ext. 222, or philippe.vincent@kidney.ca.

The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

VOLUNTEERING THE KIDNEY CAR PROGRAM

DECEMBER 5 WAS INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY THE

KIDNEY CAR PROGRAM

As we do every year, we took this occasion to underscore the invaluable work of our volunteers, who are the cornerstones of the Foundation.

NOW ACCEPTS Their contribution is vital to the fight against kidney disease.

VEHICULES THAT Without them and the hard work they put in helping the Foundation in countless ways, it would be impossible for us to fulfil our mission.

CAN BE RESOLD We are grateful to all these selfless people who invest generously and with great humanity.

PORTRAIT OF A VOLUNTEER: DANIEL TURCOTTE Have you ever considered donating your car to charity? Thanks In Daniel’s family, four of the nine children have received the same to the Kidney Car Program, you can donate yours to The Kidney diagnosis: glomerulonephritis, a degenerative disease affecting Foundation of Canada—we’ll tow your car away for free and the renal glands. issue you a $300 minimum tax receipt. And when you do, your very generous donation will enable the Foundation to fulfil its They had to undergo a number of dialysis treatments and, in the mission of supporting all Canadians living with kidney disease. end, required a transplant. Daniel had three, including one last November.

Recently, the Foundation added to the program the possibility of reselling your car. Consequently, in some cases and only after an evaluation, Daniel is a dedicated volunteer. As President of the Mauricie/ higher-value cars may be considered for resale. If that happens, they Centre-du-Québec Chapter, he works tirelessly for the cause despite can be resold, at which point the vehicle’s previous owner will receive all the life-saving treatments he once had to undergo—until his an income tax receipt for more than $300 (based on the assessed value third transplant, Daniel underwent self-administered hemodialysis at the time of donation). It’s also an eco-friendly thing to do, as we treatments at home while he waited for a compatible donor. guarantee that if your car isn’t sold, it will nonetheless be fully recycled in accordance with the industry’s very strict environmental standards.

“My daughter told me about the program and I have a 75-year-old brother who has had two kidney transplants, when weLEFT), wanted DANIEL so TURCOTTE (2ND FROM WEARING HISto CAP,change PROUDLY CUTS cars, we THE RIBBON AT THE TROIS-RIVIÈRES KIDNEY WALK decided to help the Foundation by donating our old one. The whole process went smoothly and ever since, we talk about the Kidney Car program a lot Despite the challenges his disease imposes on him, Daniel has been as a way of helping the Foundation grow.” heavily involved with the Foundation for over 10 years. The impact of Placide frompublic Granby.

Daniel’s work can be -seen in the many awareness and prevention Assessed value at the time of donation: $1,395 activities he helps organize, and in other the activities such as the Kidney (received as a Tax Receipt) Walk event, spaghetti lunch and Christmas party for patients “I found the Kidney Caramazing serviceloyalty. to be excellent: Thank you, Daniel, for your courteous, fast and efficient. I received my tax receipt on schedule. I was very satisfied and I would recommend you to my friends.”

Don’t wait! Donate your car today by completing the form available WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER?- Sandra from Mirabel. online at kidneycar.ca or by calling us at 1-888-228-8673.

We would be delighted to speak with you about the many volunteering the Foundation.

Assessed opportunities value at theavailable time of at the donation: $1,450 Contact Dany Babin: 514 938-4515 – 1 800-565-4515, ext.

232, or dany.babin@kidney.ca. (received as a Tax Receipt) A few testimonials from satisfied Kidney Car program donors whose cars qualified for resale:

PLANNEDGIVING GIVING| |LEGACY LEGACYGIVING GIVINGSOCIETY SOCIETY PLANNED If, like us, you would like to do something to improve the health andwould qualitylike of life of people living kidney Like us, you to do something towith improve thedisease, health youquality can contribute a veryliving tangible to fulfilling and of life of in people withway kidney disease. this You mission, todayinand in the future,way through planned giving. can contribute a very tangible to fulfilling this mission, today and in the future, through planned giving.

Planned giving can take a number of forms, including: •Planned Bequests andcan testamentary donations giving take a number of forms, including: • Bequests The donation of a life insurance policy and testamentary donations • Donation The donation of securities of a life insurance policy  Donation of securities

Legacy Giving Society

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A TESTAMENTARY DONATION? To find out how to make your own bequest, please contact Martin Munger at martin.munger@kidney.ca or 1-800-565-4515 / 514-938-4515, ext. 231.

A bequest to The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a gift that will have a lasting impact and bear witness to the values you cherish. | 10 |

The Kidney Community Newsletter WINTER 2018 The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

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RESEARCH

A PILOT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

By Soham Rej, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Geriatric Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute, McGill University in Montreal.

Dr Soham Rej received a $96,664 Biomedical Research Grant (2017–2019) in the Water, Salt and Calcium Handling by the Kidney category.

Can statins be used in the treatment of lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in patients taking lithium?

Lithium is a commonly used treatment in several medical conditions, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. It is also being studied for dementia, stroke and even cancer. Currently, lithium is used by approximately 350,000 Canadians, and more patients could potentially benefit from using it. However, doctors are avoiding lithium because of its link to chronic kidney disease, which is often irreversible.

Lithium exposure can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by three times through Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI), a condition characterized by excessive urination and thirst. A recent preliminary study found that commonly used cardiovascular medications called statins are associated with a lower risk of NDI in lithium users, but a randomized clinical trial is needed. In this first clinical trial, Dr. Rej will test a statin called atorvastatin (Lipitor) in treating NDI in people using lithium. The trial will recruit 60 lithium users, randomly selected to receive either atorvastatin (20 mg/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks to observe whether statins can improve NDI. If successful, this pilot study will generate the information needed to plan future large clinical trials that can confirm whether statins can treat NDI and potentially prevent chronic kidney disease in lithium users. This could improve people’s health and prevent the use of costly health services for kidney disease and other medical problems. This study supports the mission of the Kidney Foundation of Canada by helping reduce the burden of kidney disease through innovation.

Soham Rej, MD, MSc, FRCPC, is a geriatric psychiatrist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Lady Davis Institute, McGill University in Montreal. His primary research interest has been to understand the kidney side effects related to the use of psychotropic medication in older adults. In particular, using pharmacoepidemiology and clinical trial approaches, he has been investigating the risk of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and chronic kidney disease related to lithium, and approaches to minimizing this risk. Dr. Rej is also interested in the psychosocial health of patients with chronic kidney disease, including a recently completed randomized controlled trial examining the use of meditation in the treatment of depression and anxiety in hemodialysis patients.

“I am very thankful to the Kidney Foundation of Canada for supporting my research, and I hope that my work can improve the lives of Canadians currently dealing with or at future risk for kidney disease.”

Soham Rej, M.D., MSc, FRCPC

Impacts

IMPACTS AND OUTCOMES OF KIDNEY RESEARCH The 2017 report Impacts and Outcomes of Kidney Research focuses on transplantation and partnerships. The Kidney Foundation of Canada is proud to partner with two major research networks in which patients play a major role. Read the report.

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The Kidney Community Newsletter FALL 2018

OUtcOmEs

A 2017 rep ort The Kidney by Foundatio of Canad n a