Bringing holiday dialysis closer to patients at the NKF Annual Event
d.HOLIDAY attended the National Kidney Federation (NKF) Annual Event in Blackpool, UK, on 2-3 October, helping raise awareness of holiday dialysis and the opportunities it creates for people who want to travel.
Organised by the NKF, a UK charity run by kidney patients, for kidney patients, the annual event brings together patients, carers, patient associations and healthcare professionals to share experiences, access practical advice and discuss ways to improve life for people living with kidney disease. This year's programme explored topics ranging from dialysis and transplantation to rehabilitation, social support and patient wellbeing. These themes closely reflect d.HOLIDAY's own mission of helping people continue living full and active lives while receiving treatment.
Representing d.HOLIDAY, Paulina Walkowiak from Diaverum Spain and Marta Olim from Diaverum Portugal shared a simple but powerful message: dialysis does not have to mean giving up holidays, visiting loved ones or travelling for work. With the right planning and support, travel can remain an important part of life.
A global team with local expertise
Making travel possible for patients starts with collaboration across borders.
The programme brings together 26 coordinators in 26 countries who work closely with one another, as well as with clinic teams, to make holiday dialysis possible both within patients' home countries and abroad.
This collaboration connects patients with local expertise at their destination while helping coordinate treatment between home and receiving clinics. The result is a seamless experience that gives patients confidence their dialysis arrangements are in place and a dedicated team is ready to support them throughout their journey.
Paulina and Marta's joint participation reflected this approach. Together, they represented a wider international community united by a shared purpose: helping people on dialysis travel with confidence.
Connecting care, community and partnerships
Throughout the event, the team connected with patients, patient associations, nurses, social workers and clinic colleagues. Located within the exhibition area, the d.HOLIDAY stand provided an opportunity to discuss travel options directly with attendees and share information about the support available before, during and after a dialysis holiday.
These conversations helped introduce d.HOLIDAY to new audiences, strengthen existing relationships and build awareness of the support available.
"It gave us a great opportunity to talk about d.HOLIDAY, exchange ideas and strengthen existing relationships," said Paulina.
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration in improving patients' experiences. By connecting Diaverum's renal care expertise with patient communities and partner organisations, d.HOLIDAY helps more people access information, practical support and opportunities to travel.
"Sometimes people just need to know that travelling is possible and that there is someone on the other side ready to help them make it happen," Marta reflected.
Being present at events such as the NKF Annual Event is an important part of this work. Through direct engagement with patients and families, collaboration with patient associations, and close cooperation with nurses and clinic teams, d.HOLIDAY helps more people discover the travel options available to them through the people they know and trust.
Wherever a journey begins, the purpose remains the same: bringing global coordination and local expertise together so that people on dialysis can travel with greater confidence and continue enjoying the experiences that matter most.
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