Kidney Health Community Program - Saskatchewan

10/03/2024

Did you know that 1 in 10 Canadians are estimated to be living with kidney disease, including 117,000 Saskatchewan residents? Even more troubling is the steep increase in the number of Saskatchewan people requiring dialysis to live has increased by almost 30% in the last ten years, with no signs of slowing down.

St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon is a provincial leader in providing kidney health services, treatment, and support to patients and their families residing in central and northern Saskatchewan. In fact, the second kidney transplant in Canada was performed by physicians at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1964! Since then, thousands of patients with kidney disease have been treated at St. Paul’s Hospital.

Recently the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation launched the “By Your Side” Kidney Care Campaign. The $10-million campaign is focused on addressing several needs for those living with, or at risk of developing, chronic kidney disease, including education, prevention, early detection and patient support.

With your help, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation is committed to raising $10-million to realize patient-centred and holistic health initiatives that will save lives and reduce the economic and social impacts of early onset kidney failure.
To make a donation you can visit www.byyoursidesask.ca or call (306) 655-5821.

StPaul's Hospital Foundation

05/04/2023

The heart and kidneys are directly connected. They actually rely on each other to remain healthy and able to last for many decades. Heart problems are a risk for kidney disease and kidney failure. Anything good you do for one organ is good for the others. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with heart failure, or if you would like to know more then check out the information and resources on the Canadian Heart Failure Society website. Remember to show your heart and kidneys some love every day.

The Canadian Heart Failure Society (CHFS), together with a committee of cardiovascular professionals and partner organizations, is pleased to announce: 5th Annual National Heart Failure Awareness Week May 1-7, 2023

05/01/2023

Today is May 1st, which means that it is in Canada. The theme for 2023 is .

Did you know that one in five people with chronic kidney disease is affected by depression? In fact, people with kidney disease are 3-4x more likely to have depression than people from the general population.

Living with a chronic disease such as CKD is hard and can feel very isolating. It is ok to not be ok. Reach out if you are struggling. Start a conversation that matters with somebody today. Let’s work together to reduce the by creating a culture of acceptance and understanding. Sharing our stories reminds us that we are not alone in our experiences

There are resources available to help you cope with the challenges of living with chronic kidney disease. Talk to your health care team to get you connected to mental health supports.

To get you started, check out this webinar on CKD and mental health from the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

We are pleased to offer an ongoing series of educational webinars that cover a broad array of kidney health topics.

04/26/2023

It is also National Immunization Awareness Week. People with chronic diseases have higher risk of serious complications from some viral illnesses. Kidney doctors and nurses recommend vaccines for pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, Hepatitis B, and shingles. How much do you know about vaccines and vaccine safety? You can visit the Immunize Canada website for current and trustworthy information and facts like: the flu vaccine does not cause the flu, and many vaccines ARE safe to get during pregnancy.

The Importance of Staying Up to Date on Routine Immunizations | https://www.healthinsight.ca/?p=37298&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=37302&token=Pibidu

04/24/2023

ORGAN & TISSUE DONATION SAVES LIVES !!!

Leave well so others can live well. Register to be an organ and tissue donor.

04/17/2023

Did you know the first transplant in Saskatchewan, a kidney, took place over 50 years ago on December 10, 1963? Since then, over 800 kidney transplants have been performed in our province since. On average, about 50-60 people in Saskatchewan are currently waiting for a transplant, and will wait approximately 3 years to receive a new kidney. The need for organ and tissue donation far outweighs the supply.
Did you know about 40-50% of kidney transplants in Saskatchewan are made possible through living donors? To determine eligibility, healthy individuals wishing to donate a kidney must first be tested and screened based on standard criteria. A donor must be a match with a recipient, and this match requires compatibility between blood types and cell proteins. Age does not matter: Canada’s oldest organ donor was over 90 years old.

For more information on becoming a living kidney donor, check out https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/all-z/tissue-organ-donation/living-kidney-donation

You can also register your decision for organ and/or tissue donation through the Saskatchewan Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. All you need is your health care # and you must be at least 16 years of age. In addition, it is important to talk to your family about your decision, so they can be aware of your wishes.

Living Kidney Donation About 50-60 people in Saskatchewan are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. On average, they will wait 2.8 years for a kidney - that's 437 dialysis treatments per person.​ Please offer hope by talking to your family about organ and tissue donation. Kidney transplants m...

04/11/2023

Learn about how you can help save lives by registering your decision to become an organ or tissue donor.

04/05/2023

APRIL IS DONOR AWARENESS MONTH! This Friday is Green Shirt Day, but what more important than wearing a green shirt? It's registering to be an organ and/or tissue donor, talking to your family about your decision, and learning about all the parts of our bodies that could actually be donated to save or enhance someone else's life. Do not assume your organs or tissues are no good, or that you are too old. There is no age limit, and even people with some kinds of cancers can donate their corneas! Watch the KHCP page for more information about organ and tissue donation, and kidney transplants throughout the month of April.

Five years ago, the lives of 29 people, their families and their communities were changed forever. That day was April 6, 2018, when the Humboldt Broncos bus crash shook the nation with sadness. Sixteen young individuals, including defenceman Logan Boulet, lost their lives, and 13 bear physical and e...

03/27/2023

Isn't this amazing?!? To put this into perspective, it's almost the distance from Saskatoon to Regina, or from Prince Albert to La Ronge. That's a lot of filtration tubes packed into two little organs the size of your loosely closed fists. That also means we need to protect these filtration tubes and the blood vessels that connect to them. Healthy lifestyles can keep our kidneys happy!

Each kidney contains approximately one million tiny units known as nephrons. Each nephron is formed of a very small filter called a glomerulus that is connected to a tubule. Fluid and waste products are filtered out of the blood as it passes through the nephron.

03/21/2023

Wednesday, March 22 is World Water Day. It's a day to raise awareness of the importance of water and how the world's water can be kept clean and healthy. After all, water is life.

Now, about those kidneys. Are you someone who knows you don't drink enough water, but find it difficult to change? Have you wondered how much water you need every day, but can't seem to find a consistent answer? Here is a link to some trustworthy information from the Mayo Clinic. You will find all the facts here and may even be surprised by some of the answers. Challenge yourself to drink one more glass of water tomorrow!

Know how much water to drink to stay healthy and hydrated.

03/16/2023

It's dietitians week! In fact, yesterday was National Registered Dietitians Day. Nutrition is an important part of preventing and managing all chronic conditions. When it comes to the kidneys, reducing your dietary salt intake can help lower blood pressure and put less strain on your kidneys. We visited the First Nations community of Red Earth yesterday, and were asked "How can I lower the salt in my diet when all I've ever used for cooking is salt?" What a great question! It's something that many people wonder. Has your healthcare provider suggested that you lower the amount of salt in your diet? Do you wonder how anything will even taste good without salt? Check out this link to an excellent source of ideas and ways you can try new flavours when you prepare your food. It doesn't need to cost a lot of money either. Send us a message and let us know what you've tried!

03/09/2023

Our Kidney Health Program Saskatoon staff "showing off their kidneys" for (March 9).

1 in 10 people worldwide are affected by chronic kidney disease. Are you at risk? Take the quiz on the Kidney Foundation of Canada: Saskatchewan Branch website: https://kidney.ca/Kidney-Health/Newly-Diagnosed/Risk-Factors/Are-You-at-Risk