Reaching Out

Learning you have a chronic illness isn’t easy.

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by Trish Reynolds

There’s no instruction manual, play-by-play book or even a road map to mark out the journey. At a time when there is confusion, concern and overwhelming feelings, it can help to reach out and connect with someone who understands.

The Kidney Connect peer support program is based on the belief that speaking to someone who has a shared lived experience can be a benefit. The program is delivered in multiple ways to offer patients and their caregivers opportunities to connect in the way they feel most comfortable:  by phone  online at kidneyconnect.ca  in-person within your clinic setting  at a group meeting*

We have come a long way in speaking more openly about mental health. Awareness campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day and Canadian Mental Health Week work to help destigmatize attitudes about mental health and support. Yet, it still takes courage to take the first step to reach out to get help.

“It’s our goal for you to have a meaningful experience and get the support you need,” said Sadia Baig, Programs Coordinator for The Kidney Foundation. “When you reach out to our Kidney Connect tollfree line, you will speak to a member of our programs team, who will gather some basic information about your questions and concerns. With that information in hand, we can match you with one of our trained peer support volunteers.”

Peer support volunteers are trained and receive ongoing mentorship support to learn how to shape their story in a meaningful way to provide hope and encouragement. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, different ages, diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we can provide support in multiple languages. “If you are newly diagnosed and choosing a type of dialysis, we can connect you to someone who has done peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis,” added Sadia. If you are a family member or a patient who has questions about transplant or becoming a living donor, we are here to help you through your pre- and post-transplant journey.

Group support is available in many communities and is facilitated by trained volunteers who understand the complexities of what it is like to be affected by kidney disease. “The discussions focus on the questions and concerns of those in attendance, so they vary each month,” said Craig Lindsay, Programs Coordinator at The Kidney Foundation.

Prefer to connect from the comfort of home? You can access support through our Kidney Connect online community. The platform has been updated and is a place where people living with—and affected by—kidney disease get connected. There are various groups including groups for youth and young adults.

Calling us for the first time? We’re ready to chat. • Similar to trying anything new, it’s the first step or the first phone call that’s the hardest. Call us at 1-866-390-7337 to get started. There is no cost to access the program. • No question is a silly question. Ask away, we’re here to help. • Car egivers need support too. We can connect you with fellow caregivers who understand what it’s like to care for someone living with kidney disease. • Let’s talk transplantation. Donors, living transplant, life on the list. We’ve got you covered. • Wherever you are on the kidney journey. We’re here to help. We can provide information about resources and supports.

*Visit kidney.ca/supportmeetings to see if a group meets in your area. 

You’re not alone.

Speak to a peer support volunteer who understands what it’s like to live with kidney disease.

We’ve been there too.

kidney.ca | 1 866 390 7337

Ontario Branch 1599 Hurontario St., Ste. 201 Mississauga, ON L5G 4S1 1-800-387-4474 • 905-278-3003 ontario@kidney.ca African-Caribbean Kidney Association 1-800-387-4474 president@acka.ca 1-800-387-4474 Brant County 1-800-387-4474 brant.president@kidney.ca Central Ontario 1-800-387-4474/905-278-3003 daniela.piotrowski@kidney.ca Chinese Renal Association 1-800-387-4474 ext. 4977 shukyu.fong@kidney.ca Durham Region 1-800-387-4474 Eastern Ontario 613-724-9953/1-800-724-9953 melissa.forster@kidney.ca Hamilton & District 1-800-387-4474 ext. 4969 julie.bertoia@kidney.ca Kingston 613-542-2121 katie.kyte@kidney.ca London & District 1-800-387-4474 ext.4860 rizwana.ramzanali@kidney.ca Niagara & District 1-800-387-4474 ext. 4969 julie.bertoia@kidney.ca North Bay 1-800-387-4474 Northern Superior 807-624-2680 ontario@kidney.ca Sarnia-Lambton 519-344-3462 elaine.hayter@kidney.ca Sault Ste. Marie 705-949-0400 tannis.mcmillan@kidney.ca Timmins-Porcupine 705-365-7492 timmins.president@kidney.ca Waterloo – Wellington & District 1-800-387-4474 ext. 4966 tracey.babineau@kidney.ca Windsor & District 519-977-9211 erika.muscat@kidney.ca