EKHA’s event ‘Celebrating 80 years of dialysis: Time again for science fiction to meet reality’ took place on 26 April 2023 in the European Parliament in Brussels.
A variety of speakers, including EKHA President Professor Raymond Vanholder, MEP Ondřej Knotek, European Kidney Patients’ Federation (EKPF) President Daniel Gallego, European Research Council (ERC) Professor Liselotte Højgaard, and Nierstichting Managing Director Tom Oostrom spoke insightfully on the realities which kidney patients face daily, including the physical and mental burdens of both kidney disease and kidney treatment. It is precisely this burden that strains the lives of so many kidney patients, and which led the late Delphine to her courageous decision to end her treatment and life in 2022.
Drawing inspiration from the visionary work of dialysis inventor Dr. Willem Kolff, and gaining motivation from many compelling patient stories, including those of Delphine and of MEP Martin Buschmann, speakers underlined the pressing need to make treatment easier on patients. Fortunately, innovation and new tech advancements now have the potential to ease the burden that current kidney care practices have on kidney patients and their loved ones. The EU must now step up efforts to ensure these innovations become a reality for kidney patients.
EKHA warmly thanks all participants of its gathering and the members of its community for their support and interest in this event.
Watch the inspiring story of Dr Kolff HERE!