At 96, oldest dialysis patient in BC is living life fully |  Despite living with kidney disease and having needed life-sustaining hemodialysis treatments for the past eight years, Leno Benetton is living a full life as British Columbia’s oldest dialysis patient at the age of 96.
Leno lives in the District of Sparwood in the East Kootenay region. To meet his treatment needs, he goes to the Sparwood Community Dialysis Unit weekly. There, staff make sure he is well taken care of during his three-and-a-half-hour visits. The treatments involve a hemodialysis machine that filters waste and extra fluids from the bloodstream, functioning similarly to healthy kidneys. “Leno can attribute part of his good health to the dialysis treatments and the additional support his care team provides, but he is also doing very well taking care of himself,” says Brianna Mayer who works in the region as a renal dietitian. “Leno still drives, lives in his own home, cooks his own food and is very sharp. We are very impressed he still lives an active life in his home community, and he even gets out for some fun at his local casino.” Read full story | Drs. Mark Elliott and Michelle Wong receive Health Research BC awards | Congrats to Drs. Mark Elliott and Michelle Wong who are among the recipients of this year’s Health Professional-Investigator awards presented by Michael Smith Health Research BC. The awards program provides financial support to develop BC’s research talent and help decrease the gap between health research and implementation. Recipients are health professionals who are actively involved in patient care to conduct and apply research relevant to health and/or the health system. | | Dr. Elliott is a clinical assistant professor with UBC’s Division of Nephrology and serves as the lead for the Kidney Genetics Clinic located at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. His research focuses on clinical outcomes of patients with genetic kidney disorders and the integration of genetic data into clinical care. | | Dr. Wong is a clinical assistant professor with UBC’s Division of Nephrology, a clinical researcher, and a SFU-UBC Implementation Science Training Initiative Scholar. She currently co-leads an interprofessional kidney nutrition research program in BC, in collaboration with renal dietitians. Her research focuses on metabolic and cardiovascular complications of kidney disease. | | Sarah Thomas honoured with CANNT administrative leadership award |  Congrats to BC Renal project manager Sarah Thomas who was honoured this fall with the Excellence in Administrative Leadership Practice award at the annual Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses (CANNT) conference in Victoria.
A registered nurse specializing in dialysis care earlier in her career, Sarah has made significant contributions to BC Renal’s strategic initiatives, including the creation of the Hemodialysis Emergency Support Team and enhancements in capacity planning for life-supporting dialysis care. Beyond these accomplishments, she is a dedicated mentor who continually fosters innovation within the organization. | | The Excellence in Administrative Leadership Practice award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to the professional growth of staff. It also celebrates leaders who encourage both autonomous and collaborative decision-making, ultimately improving quality of care. | New poster: Get vaccinated! 
Since 2022, vaccination rates in people living with chronic kidney disease in BC have declined by 30–50% — especially for flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. This is concerning as we enter the winter season, when these infections spread more easily and can lead to serious complications, hospitalizations, and heart disease, as well as worsening kidney health. Check out our new poster that helps spread the word of why vaccines matter and what patients can do: PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS AND YOUR HEART: Get vaccinated! | | New handout: Get ready for winter! Cold weather and winter storms can be dangerous, especially for people on dialysis. See our new information sheet that will help patients prepare for storms and stay safe and healthy during cold winter weather. The two-page guide covers what to expect, reminders, risks for people with kidney disease, and quick tips: Coping with Cold Weather and Winter Storms Thanks to members of the BC Renal Emergency Management Committee for developing this resource! | | Updated modules for peritoneal dialysis training Patients new to peritoneal dialysis (PD) - and those wanting a refresher - can access our updated series of eight training modules. Each module can be viewed at any time for self-paced, self-directed learning. Now available in English with Traditional Chinese versions expected by the end of the year. See PD Patient Training Modules. Thanks to members of the BC Renal Peritoneal Dialysis Committee who contributed to these modules! | | Home Hemodialysis Guideline | 2025 guideline covers best practices for home hemodialysis programs
A new provincial guideline was created earlier this year for BC’s home hemodialysis (HHD) programs. The multi-page guideline details goals of HHD programs, requirements for success, recruitment and transitions, roles and responsibilities, and equipment and resources. See Best Practices: Home Hemodialysis Programs Thanks to members of the BC Renal Home Hemodialysis Committee for developing this resource! | | Case Study: Reducing HD Waste | Iron sucrose project sees potential for large reduction of waste and cost in hemodialysis A case study of how a Fraser Health team switched from using intravenous infusion to intravenous push for iron sucrose in hemodialysis shows potential for a large reduction of medical waste and cost. At the same time, staff maintained high quality care for patients and provided positive feedback on the change in practice. The project team included pharmacy specialists, clinical nurse educators, the parenteral services team, and renal program leadership. | |  They estimate the potential for a direct waste reduction of 129 kg of medical waste per month, equivalent to 1,548 kg per year (enough waste to fill 77 standard garbage cans) across three in-centre hemodialysis units and five community dialysis units across the region. They also estimate an annual cost savings of $153,360 per year due to reduced use of IV tubing and minibags(shown in photo).
As an example of environmentally sustainable kidney care, this initiative offers practical insights for other renal programs. See the two-page case study for more on approach and results: Iron Sucrose Intravenous Push in Hemodialysis | Kidney community takes part in ShakeOut BC drill | On October 16, many people around the province, including kidney patients and health care providers, practised what to do in case of an earthquake. As part of the annual ShakeOut BC drill, they went through the actions of “Drop, Cover, Hold On.” New this year, BC Renal circulated a poster highlighting what to do when the shaking starts, including modifications for those who use a walker or wheelchair and those on dialysis in a bed or recliner. See poster: Earthquake Safety: What to do when the shaking starts Thanks to Interior Health patient, Michael Karageorgis, and a staff member, Jennifer Stewart, for sharing these photos from their drill at the Penticton hemodialysis unit! | | - Province Wide Rounds (for health professionals and patient partners)
- Patient Education Webinars (for patients and others interested)
- CKD E-Learning (for primary care clinicians)
| | Visit the websites of our kidney-related partner organizations for additional resources, events and information: | Want to stay up to date with other BC Renal news and events? Subscribe to our mailing lists. | | We acknowledge with gratitude that our BC Renal offices are located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Coast Salish, home of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish peoples, as well as the Métis chartered communities of the Lower Mainland | | | | |
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