When individuals are diagnosed with kidney disease, they are often left searching for clear, reliable information during an overwhelming time.
In B.C., those individuals can find the resources and supports they need at the Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch – a branch of the Kidney Foundation that has been helping kidney patients and their families for more than 60 years.
One of their programs is the peer mentorship program which connects patients with others who have been affected by kidney disease.
“The thing I love most about being a peer mentor is to give hope to the individuals,” says Kevin Easton, peer mentor. “There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re alone.”
The Kidney Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization that relies on various forms of financial support to carry out its mission and deliver on programs – including peer support.
Last year, it received a $250,000 grant from the Provincial Community Gaming Grants program.
“The community gaming grant is transformational for us,” says Pia Schindler, executive director at the Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch. “It helps cover the costs of dedicated staff who make our work available to thousands of kidney patients, as well as it helps to train dedicated volunteers that provide us even more leverage.”
The Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch is just one of many thousands of organizations across B.C. supported by the Province’s Community Gaming Grants program.
Every year, $140 million of BCLC’s net income goes back to the Province to be distributed through these grants to support a wide range of non-profit organizations in their delivery of vital, local and ongoing programs and services that benefit individuals, families and communities throughout B.C.
“The Province’s Community Gaming Grants program helps organizations across B.C. deliver services that people rely on,” says Pat Davis, president and CEO of BCLC. “Non-profit organizations – like the Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch – provide essential services and these grants help organizations like this continue to make a meaningful difference.”
BCLC was established in 1985 to conduct and manage gambling on behalf of the Province of British Columbia. For more than 40 years, BCLC’s net profits have gone back to the Province to help build and benefit communities.
“BCLC’s business is a significant contributor to B.C.’s economy and communities,” says Davis. “We’re proud of the role we play in supporting community services and initiatives that bring people together and make communities stronger.
For the Kidney Foundation, connecting individuals through their programming is vital to the health of patients and their families.
“It’s a full circle moment when I get a call back from a patient saying that ‘I spoke with a peer mentor that you connected me with, and I feel so much better. And I’m ready to fight and I’m ready to get better.’” Yash Kamboj, manager, patient services at the Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch.
Each year, BCLC’s net income goes back to the Province and is distributed in many ways to benefit British Columbians, including $140 million that goes towards the Province’s Community Gaming Grants program to support non-profit organizations and initiatives like the Kidney Foundation B.C. and Yukon Branch.
