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Organising a dialysis holiday
Jette Thaarup, a dedicated advocate for dialysis patients, has made it her mission to help individuals experience the joy of travel without compromising their health
Through her work with the Danish Kidney Patient Association, Nyreforeningen, she has organised numerous group trips to various destinations, ensuring that dialysis patients can enjoy their holidays worry-free. Here, she shares her personal story and talks about the importance of travelling for people living with CKD.
My passion for helping dialysis patients stems from my own personal experience. After marrying my husband Jesper, a dialysis patient, I realised that his condition should not limit our desire to explore the world. Together, we have embarked on several European trips over the years, discovering the possibilities of holiday dialysis in different countries. Inspired by our adventures, we both became involved in organising group trips for the Danish Kidney Patient Association.
After Jesper’s passing in 2015, I took on the role of leading these efforts, as I wanted to continue all the great work we’d been doing together. Organising a dialysis group holiday involves meticulous planning and coordination. It includes a number of steps, such as identifying suitable dialysis clinics that can accommodate a large group of patients, negotiating with travel agencies to create customised packages, and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is in order. One of the biggest challenges is navigating the complexities of healthcare systems in different countries. However, we handle all these logistics on behalf of patients to allow them to enjoy their holiday. Despite these challenges, the rewards of organising these trips are immense.
Witnessing the joy and gratitude of patients as they explore new places & connect with others in similar situations is incredibly satisfying. Travelling is a fundamental part of living a fulfilling life, and I encourage all those undergoing dialysis to embrace it. Anyone with questions or concerns about travelling should speak to their home clinic or local patient association. They will be happy to support in planning anything from a dream trip to the other side of the world to a short visit to friends and family in another city.
I’m profoundly grateful that my efforts have allowed countless dialysis patients to experience the world and create lasting memories, and I remain optimistic about the future of dialysis travel. Currently, Diaverum offers holiday dialysis in many popular tourist destinations, opening up even more opportunities for dialysis patients to enjoy their holidays without limitations. As I continue to organise these life-changing trips, I hope my story inspires many more others to travel.
Jette Thaarup,
Danish Kidney Patient Association Representative
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