For people living with kidney failure, the most ideal form of dialysis treatment is done in the place where they are most comfortable—their home. Five years ago, we transformed our Home Dialysis Program, enhancing quality of life for our patients, welcoming more patients, and turning it into a model for dialysis programs across the province.

There’s no shortage of myths about living kidney donation. You may have heard that donors should no longer participate in sports or try to get pregnant. Well, meet Angèle. She’s a triathlete, a mother and a living kidney donor who gave her father a new life 13 years ago.

Kidney donors like Trina usually face many months of tests, but a new program at The Ottawa Hospital allowed her to complete nearly all of them in just one day. Trina shares her experience as a living donor and how this new program made it easier to give her brother the gift of life.

The Home Dialysis team at The Ottawa Hospital gives some patients the option to receive their dialysis treatment at home. Dedicated staff meet challenges to deliver more accessible care.

He is the “go-to” doctor in the Ottawa area for treating pregnant women with kidney disease. And patients like Dawn Lau are grateful to Dr. Ayub Akbari for his supportive, attentive, responsive care that even includes handing out his personal phone number in case patients need to reach him.

Gina Hedges remembers, not long ago, when she had to travel to Toronto just to receive treatment for her polycystic kidney disease. But that’s changing. A new centre of excellence at The Ottawa Hospital will provide access to radiologists, urologists, surgeons and others, all in one place.