May 25, 2026

For people living with kidney disease, emergencies such as wildfires, evacuations, and power outages can quickly become life-threatening when access to dialysis, medications, transportation, or care teams is disrupted. As climate-related emergencies continue to affect communities across Canada, disaster preparedness is becoming an increasingly urgent priority in kidney care. 

This challenge was the focus of a joint symposium co-hosted by Can-SOLVE CKD, the Canadian Association of Nephrology Administrators (CANA), and the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) during the 2026 CSN AGM in Québec City, QC.  

Held during Emergency Preparedness Month, the session brought together clinicians, researchers, health system leaders, and patient partners to explore how kidney programs can strengthen emergency readiness while maintaining continuity of care for patients who rely on life-sustaining treatments. 

Centering patient experiences 

Patient perspectives were placed at the centre of the discussion through a video featuring patient partners Laura Bennett, Heather Dumka, and Michael McCormick. Moderated by Can-SOLVE CKD patient partner Arlene Desjarlais, the conversation reflected on experiences navigating kidney care during fires, severe weather, power outages, and other emergencies. Together, the stories highlighted how quickly disruptions to treatment access, transportation, communication systems, and caregiving support can create uncertainty and risk for patients and families. 

Watch the symposium video here:

Reflecting on these experiences, Dr. Shaifali Sandal (Montreal, QC), who presented Disaster and Emergency Management in Kidney Care in Canada: Current State, and Future Priorities, emphasized that “a risk-informed approach to disaster preparedness is needed to ensure preparedness measures are contextualized and resources are appropriately allocated.” She added, “A vulnerability and adaptation assessment can inform system-level changes aimed at building more transformative and resilient health systems.”

Strengthening system readiness 

Additional presentations from Sarah Thomas (Vancouver, BC) and Raja Sengupta (Montreal, QC) explored how kidney programs across Canada are strengthening emergency preparedness through provincial disaster management approaches, coordinated response planning, and targeted hazard risk assessments. Discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring patients can continue receiving dialysis and essential care during wildfires, extreme weather events, evacuations, and other infrastructure disruptions. 

Across the session, speakers and patient partners emphasized that effective emergency preparedness depends not only on operational planning, but also on clear communication, advance preparation, caregiver involvement, and meaningful patient engagement. 

The symposium concluded with a fireside chat and audience Q&A moderated by Dr. Jay Hingwala (Winnipeg, MB), with panelists including CANA’s Janet Graham (Ottawa, ON) and Can-SOLVE CKD patient partner Michael McCormick. The discussion reinforced a shared message throughout the session: disaster preparedness in kidney care must be grounded in system coordination, interdisciplinary collaborations, and patient experience to ensure continuity of care during emergencies. 

We wish to acknowledge the work of the CANA / Can-SOLVE CKD / CSN Joint Symposium Planning Committee and thank patient partners Laura Bennett, Arlene Desjarlais, Heather Dumka, and Michael McCormick for generously sharing their stories. 

For more information, please contact Selina Allu at soallu@ucalgary.ca. 

Michael McCormick, a Can-SOLVE CKD patient partner, speaks on stage during the joint symposium fireside chat.