The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is saddened by the recent passing of Arris (Hans) Vorster (1940 – 2025). Hans was a committed patient partner in the kidney health research community. His dedication to bringing the patient voice to kidney research to affect positive change for those living with kidney disease was an inspiration to us all. 

Hans was a dedicated member of the Patient Governance Council (PGC) from 2018 to 2025 and served on the PGC executive for two years, providing a grounded perspective that respected all the voices at the table and helped to govern the work of the network, rooting it in pragmatism. Hans was a good friend to many in the network, always adding warmth, a good story, and a patient perspective shaped by his wide-ranging life experience.  

As a patient partner on the Can-SOLVE CKD Triple I and Mind the Gap projects, he championed patient-oriented research and contributed to studies that aim to improve the lives of people receiving hemodialysis. Hans also served on the executive committee of the Canadian Nephrology Trials Network and co-developed the Patient Partners in Peer Review module, helping equip patient partners to participate meaningfully in the peer-review process. 

We are deeply grateful to Hans for his service to Can-SOLVE CKD and the kidney research community, and we will miss him dearly. 

I had the privilege of working closely with Hans over the past several years through the Canadian Nephrology Trials Network and Can-SOLVE CKD. He was deeply committed to patient engagement and passionate about his role within Can-SOLVE. Hans was incredibly knowledgeable and consistently made meaningful contributions to patient care. His insights directly helped shape initiatives that improved the lives of patients with kidney disease across Canada. I will truly miss our many conversations at meetings, our shared “woes” of navigating the new virtual world created during the pandemic and the opportunity to have worked with such a great person.

Karthik Tennankore

I worked with Hans for several years at Can-SOLVE and was truly inspired by his dedication to true patient engagement. He and I spent many pleasant dinners and gatherings together and I will greatly miss his wise words & counsel. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Cathy Woods

To the family of Hans my deep condolences every time I saw Hans showed his wisdom and lived experience I thought there is a patient partner I deeply respect. Can-SOLVE CKD came at the right time for so many Canadians A Voice For US.

Thanks sincerely 💚🙏😇
Robert Buzinski

I had the pleasure working with Hans over the last several years on the Canadian Nephrology Trials Network’s Executive and Scientific Operations Committees. As a patient partner, he was an instrumental voice in the CanSOLVE CKD Network and the CNTN. He always had valuable input given his lived experience with chronic kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation. I will miss his thoughtful lens on research, gentle spirit, sense of humour and calming presence.

David Collister

Hans was a truly a gentle man and a scholar: bringing his own research experience and attention to details to Can-SOLVE CKD activities in so many ways. He was grateful for all the progress made, and how it impacted his life, and strove to give back in all the ways that he could. He was thoughtful and kind, and inclusive in all that he did. He will definitely be missed, and we owe him so much for embracing the concept of patient partnership with the gusto that he did. A real role model for all. May he rest in peace.

Adeera Levin