May 30, 2025 – Planning for Emergencies & Honouring What Matters to You

BC Renal acknowledges that our offices are located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Coast Salish, home of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish peoples.

Members, BC Renal Executive Committee

Have you previously been involved in BC Renal Committees? Would you be interested in sharing your perspectives to enhance strategic decision making, efficiency and effectiveness, planning, and effective internal and external communications for quality person- and family-centered kidney care?  If so, this could be the group for you! Read more...

Open to: Patients and their families with lived experience of dialysis in BC

RSVP Deadline: Open until filled

Member, BC Renal Hemodialysis Committee

Are you (or your family member) receiving hemodialysis care in BC? Would you like to work with kidney health professionals on the BC Renal Hemodialysis Committee to enable better dialysis care across the province? If so, check out this opportunity! Read more...

Open to: Patients and their families with lived experience on hemodialysis

RSVP Deadline: Open until filled

Resources to Help you Prepare for an Emergency – Are you Ready?

Every May, BC Renal Emergency Management Committee works to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness. You can visit our website’s Emergency Preparedness section to check out the resources developed by the committee, including the patient-focused newsletter, videos, and handbook for patients on dialysis.

Also be sure to check out this story which includes the perspective of Laura Bennett, patient partner member of the Emergency Management Committee. The story shares how provincially trained hemodialysis nurses on the Hemodialysis Emergency Support Team (HEST) have responded to many emergencies in the province to make sure kidney care is provided safely even in the event of disasters.

Celebrating People-Centred Care on International “What Matters to You?” Day

Have you ever shared with your care providers what truly matters to you in your care?

"What Matters to You?" (WMTY) is a global movement that encourages patients, families, and care providers to have meaningful conversations about what is important to you. By sharing the answer to this simple question, your care team can better understand what makes life meaningful for you and support you in ways that matter.

Since its start in Norway in 2014, WMTY has helped opened up the conversations about patients’ hopes, values and goals. It has improved the health care experience for patients in over 40 countries.

On June 3, let’s celebrate International “What Matters to You?” Day and the powerful conversations it inspires!

Check out resources from Health Quality BC to help you start sharing what matters to you.

When care is guided by what matters to you—and supported by collaborative goal-setting—it becomes more personalized and meaningful. Visit BC Renal's website for tools on self-management and goal-setting.

Updated Resources for Itchy Skin (pruritus)

Itchy skin, also known as pruritus, is common in patients with and without kidney disease. Earlier this year, the health professional and patient partner members of BC Renal Kidney Care and Hemodialysis committees updated a one-page patient handout that explains the condition and provides several tips for managing it. You can find the handout here.

*NEW* Patient Partners, Optimizing Potassium Management in Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Study

Researchers at the University of British Columbia want to make it easier for people living with kidney disease, heart disease, and diabetes to manage potassium levels in their blood. They would like to invite patients and families with the lived experience to work alongside with health care providers in exploring how new potassium management tools can be used in real-world care settings. RSVP to Dr. Michelle Wong (mimywong@mail.ubc.ca). Read more...

Open to: Adults living with chronic kidney disease, and/or diabetes, and/or cardiovascular disease. Completion of the Kidney Pro Learning Module, a free online introduction to patient-oriented research, will be required prior to joining a working group.

RSVP Deadline: Sunday, August 31, 2025

*NEW* Patient Partners, Can-SOLVE CKD African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) Kidney Health and Research

Are you passionate about improving kidney health in African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities? The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is looking for a patient partner to join the team in co-developing a webinar series focused on ACB kidney health and research in Canada. Read more...

Open to: Must be over the age of 18, identify as African, Caribbean, and/or Black, and have chronic kidney disease, or be a family member/caregiver to someone that has it

RSVP Deadline: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Online Community, My PKD: from the PKD Foundation of Canada

The PKD Foundation of Canada has launched My PKD, an online community for those with polycystic kidney disease (PKD)! This virtual community provides resources, forums, and information about events for those with PKD to stay informed. To learn more visit their website!

Member, Healthcare Excellence Canada’s (HEC’s) Patient Partner Network

Healthcare Excellence Canada’s (HEC’s) Patient Partner Network is seeking patient, caregiver or community partners to get involved to help improve the quality and safety of healthcare in Canada. If you are interested in being part of the network, please sign up to their network to stay up to date on opportunities, such as engagement with HEC, patient partner-tailored news, networking, learning, mentorship and more! Sign up for the HEC's Patient Partner Network!

Open to: Patients, caregivers and community member partners with living and lived experience accessing health and care services in Canada

Peer Mentors for Home Therapies

BC Renal and the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch, are looking for Peer Mentors to support those exploring or navigating home therapies as treatment options. If you have lived experience with Peritoneal Dialysis and/or Home Hemodialysis and are interested in volunteering as a peer mentor, please email bcyprograms@kidney.ca or call +1 866-390-7337 (PEER). You can learn more about becoming a peer mentor at the Kidney Foundation website.

Applicants will first complete an intake form and call. If selected, they will then receive 2.5 – 3 hours of training free of cost.

Open to: Patient Partners with lived experience with Peritoneal Dialysis and/or Home Hemodialysis

Deadline: Ongoing intake