d.HOLIDAY and the Swedish KPA empower dialysis patients to travel together
Some people return home with souvenirs. Others return home with new friends, lasting memories and the confidence to travel again - the very purpose behind d.HOLIDAY and the Swedish KPA’s long-standing collaboration.
For people living with kidney disease, a holiday can represent much more than a change of scenery. It can be a reminder that life remains full of possibilities. The anticipation before departure, the experiences shared along the way and the memories brought home afterwards all contribute to something invaluable: renewed confidence and quality of life.
That belief sits at the heart of a long-standing collaboration between Diaverum's d.HOLIDAY programme and the Swedish Kidney Patient Association (KPA), Njurförbundet. Together, we help patients discover that dialysis does not have to define the boundaries of travel, opening doors to new destinations, meaningful connections and experiences that many once thought were out of reach.
For nearly five decades, Njurförbundet has organised group trips for dialysis patients and their loved ones. These carefully planned journeys provide far more than the opportunity to visit a new destination. They create a safe and supportive environment where patients can travel confidently, knowing they are surrounded by people who understand their situation and share many of the same experiences.
Today, the group trips are coordinated by Ellinor Broms and Lena Hejjdenberg, who oversee every aspect of the journey, in close collaboration with Diaverum’s local d.HOLIDAY Coordinator in each destination. From coordinating medical documentation and treatment schedules to supporting patients before departure, their focus is always on ensuring patients feel informed, reassured and well prepared.
Mallorca, Spain
Most of the group's previous trips have taken place in sunny destinations around the Mediterranean, including Spain and Portugal. Mallorca remains a particular favourite among Swedish patients thanks to its accessibility, welcoming atmosphere and established dialysis infrastructure. While destinations such as Greece also inspire ideas for future adventures, with 25 countries and hundreds of destinations to choose from, d.HOLIDAY has something for everyone. Selecting the right destination, however, is about much more than choosing an attractive holiday location.
Behind every successful group trip is careful planning. Ellinor and Lena must consider the proximity of dialysis clinics, accessible accommodation, manageable travel times and the practical needs of patients, many of whom live with mobility limitations. The goal is always to create an experience that is not only enjoyable, but also realistic, comfortable and safe.
For many dialysis patients, travelling can feel overwhelming. Concerns about treatment, logistics and safety often prevent people from taking the first step. Ellinor believes that one of the most important ways to overcome these fears is through encouragement from healthcare professionals:
“Dialysis nurses, renal clinics and home healthcare teams play a crucial role in helping patients realise that travel remains possible. Greater awareness of Diaverum's d.HOLIDAY programme within dialysis units and nephrology departments could help even more patients discover the opportunities available to them.”
The power of patient-to-patient encouragement should not be underestimated either. Patients who have successfully travelled while on dialysis often become ambassadors, sharing their experiences and inspiring others to consider travelling themselves. For many people, hearing directly from someone who has already taken the journey can be more reassuring than any brochure or website.
A key reason why these trips are so successful is the strong sense of community they create. Participants often arrive as strangers, yet quickly form friendships built on shared experiences and a unique understanding of life with kidney disease. Group dinners, excursions and social activities help strengthen these connections, and many patients remain in contact long after returning home.
Porto, Portugal
To further support safety and well-being, Njurförbundet encourages dialysis patients joining group trips to travel with a companion. This approach has evolved through years of experience and provides valuable reassurance should unexpected health issues arise. For both patients and the KPA, it contributes to a safer and more enjoyable experience.
The impact of these journeys extends far beyond the holiday itself. For many participants, a group trip becomes the first step towards travelling more independently in the future. What begins as a supported group experience often builds the confidence needed to explore new destinations on their own, knowing that dialysis treatment can be arranged safely away from home.
Perhaps the strongest measure of success is that so many patients choose to return. Of the 21 participants who joined the 2025 group trip, 12 chose to return with the group for another journey in September 2026. For the Swedish KPA, this is one of the clearest signs that organising group travel in collaboration with Diaverum’s d.HOLIDAY programme is making a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
Through its partnership with Diaverum, Njurförbundet is helping patients see that dialysis does not have to limit their world. By combining Diaverum’s dialysis expertise and the support of local d.HOLIDAY coordinators with the KPA's deep understanding of the patient perspective, more people are discovering that travel, adventure and meaningful experiences remain within reach.
Lena shares a reflection that perfectly captures the impact of these trips:
"A journey gives life energy — before the trip through anticipation and longing, during the trip through the experiences of each day, and after the trip through all the wonderful memories."
For the Swedish KPA, the success of these journeys is measured not only by the destinations visited, but by what patients bring home with them. New friendships, greater confidence, a renewed sense of independence, and perhaps most importantly, the reassurance that life with dialysis can still include adventure, discovery and the freedom to explore the world.
Through their long-standing collaboration, Njurförbundet and Diaverum continue to help patients transform uncertainty into opportunity, fear into confidence and travel dreams into reality — helping them look beyond the horizon, wherever life takes them.
Has this article inspired you to join a group trip?
To learn more about organised group trips, contact your local kidney patient association and ask whether they arrange travel opportunities for dialysis patients and their loved ones.
If you are looking for support planning your own holiday or would like help finding a group trip organiser, the d.HOLIDAY team is here to assist. Ask your local care team or email us directly at d.holiday@diaverum.com
Our stories
View all
