Message from Dr. Norman Rosenblum on National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month, so it is a great time to reflect on Canadian kidney research, and on the partnerships, networks, and initiatives developed to improve kidney health among Canadians. This year National Kidney Day will take place on March 8th, the same day as International Women’s Day, and this year’s Kidney Month theme is: “Kidneys and Women’s Health: Include, Value, Empower”. This is appropriate because studies have shown that women are more likely to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) than their male counterparts. CKD affects approximately 195 million women worldwide and it is currently the 8th leading cause of death in women, with close to 600,000 deaths each year.

CIHR recognizes the need to raise awareness about CKD and to highlight the important work of researchers whose efforts focus on reducing the burden of kidney-related ailments on individuals and families through prevention strategies, early detection, and effective treatment. I would like to highlight the work of three dedicated, CIHR-funded researchers, Drs. Adeera Levin, Marie-Josée Hébert and Julie Ho, who have each contributed greatly to the field of nephrology in Canada.  I would encourage you to view the videos and other resources that are available on our website, and on social media.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is proud to work with committed partners, such as the Kidney Foundation of Canada and Canadian Society of Nephrology, and with researchers across Canada to support kidney research through the following programs:

Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR):  Chronic Kidney Disease Network

The Listening, Learning, Leading: Canadians Seeking Solutions and Innovations to Overcome Chronic Kidney Disease (Can-SOLVE CKD) Network is a coast-to-coast partnership of patients, health care providers, policy-makers, and researchers working to transform treatment and care for the four million Canadians living with chronic kidney disease. This Network is led by Dr. Adeera Levin from the University of British Columbia, and is supported by CIHR and partners such as the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The unique perspectives of patients, including Indigenous Peoples, are represented in all aspects of the Network, through a Patient Council and Indigenous Peoples' Engagement and Research Council and 18 multidisciplinary research projects. These research projects are based around three themes that reflect patients’ top priorities: earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and optimal care. 

Canadian National Transplant Research Program (CNTRP)

In 2014, kidney was the most commonly transplanted organ in Canada (representing 61% of all single-organ transplants). The CNTRP is a national program designed to increase organ and tissue donation in Canada and enhance the survival and quality of life of Canadians who receive transplants. The program is led by Drs. Lori West at the Alberta Transplant Institute at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Marie-Josée Hébert at the University of Montreal and brings together over 200 scientists, students, collaborators, patient partners and knowledge-users at 30 sites across Canada. The CNTRP develops new knowledge and health care practices to increase the availability of transplants for Canadians in need and improve the long-term outcomes for patients receiving a transplant. 

Dr. Julie Ho at the University of Manitoba is among the researchers associated with the CNTRP who is helping to improve the lives of those who have undergone kidney tranplants. Dr. Ho recently received a CIHR Project Grant to identify better ways to monitor the function of transplanted kidneys so that organ rejection can be detected sooner and treatment to prevent rejection can begin earlier.  

KRESCENT/CIHR New Investigator Award and the KRESCENT/CIHR Fellowships

The Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) program was launched in January 2005 with the goal of increasing kidney research capacity in Canada, enhancing research collaborations,  and supporting knowledge translation. This program is a testimony to the leadership of the individuals, organizations and companies committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease throughout Canada. Through this program, young researchers are mentored to develop the skills they need to be successful in setting up their own laboratories and developing their own research programs.

CIHR also supports outstanding kidney research through its open, investigator-initiated programs.  While much has been accomplished, with one in ten Canadians affected by kidney disease, we must continue to pursue research to prevent kidney disease and provide better treatments.

Dr. Norman Rosenblum, MD, FRCPC
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes

Additional Resources

Date modified: