About the Foundation Foundation Events
Committed to education, prevention, awareness, and access, the Shad Ireland Foundation Canada and its programs are focused on improving the lives of Canadians (both children and adults) living with kidney disease while educating those who are at risk for developing a renal diagnosis on its leading causes, prevention methods, and societal impact.
Established in 2007, the foundation in Canada began to see immediate success with its first program, the Peg Smythe Fitness Grant, which focused on improving the quality of life for individuals living with a renal diagnosis through exercise. As the foundation evolved its focus expanded into four major areas, education, prevention, awareness, and access. Through the development of its new programs the organization believes it can achieve maximum impact in these four major areas by providing a combination of inspiration, and tools & resources that empower the Canadian renal community. Through the use of innovative technology, and the development of strategic partnerships with other key organizations the Shad Ireland Foundation Canada is expanding its potential reach and delivering on its mission.
www.RenalResources.org
was made possible by a generous
grant from the following organizations:
With initial funding from Fresenius Medical Care, the Shad Ireland Foundation partnered with One Economy Corporation, a global nonprofit that leverages the power of technology to improve the lives of low-income people, to develop and launch RenalResources.org, a innovative and comprehensive new web site for patients, professionals, and supporters of the global renal community.
The Shad Ireland Foundation has grown over the past five years into a global organization dedicated to creating strategic partnerships with key organizations that share our dedication to four main areas affecting the renal community: education, prevention, awareness, and access. RenalResources.org is a living portal which combines the latest in e-health technology with social networking tools and a renal search engine to create an online home that brings together renal stakeholders from around the world.
For patients and at-risk individuals, RenalResources.org provides information and educational tools on prevention, treatment, and management of renal conditions. Written in an easy-to-understand form, with tactful use of pictures, videos, and infographics, RenalResources.org makes often-intimidating and complex medical information about diabetes, dialysis, transplants, CKD, and other renal issues accessible to every user. Moreover, with access to One Economy’s health and wellness tools, RenalResources.org shows individuals how to incorporate easy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, into their daily routine. This web site allows users to become expert in renal issues in the comfort of their own living room; it is in this disease that we find ourselves sharing similar emotions and experiences. It is those similar emotions and experiences that bring us together. We are a community. We can learn from one another. It begins by asking questions and seeking answers.
Printable Versionwas made possible by a generous
grant from the following organizations:
Amgen’s Medical Education Department
The concept for creating Baseline came directly from Shad Ireland’s personal experiences as he transformed from a struggling dialysis patient who faced multiple co-morbidities into a healthy successful dialysis patient and ultimately a professional Ironman Triathlete. Shad was once your typical non-adherent dialysis patient who had given up on hope and any chance of having the life he dreamed of as a child. Diagnosed at age ten, Shad, like most patients after their diagnosis experienced anger, loss of self control, fear, frustration, and hopelessness. In developing this program Shad, his team of medical contacts, and his foundation fundamentally believe in developing an approach that is problem oriented (How do we improve outcomes, compliance, and quality of life for the entire renal continuum while reducing the leading cost of hospitalizations to the system) and solution focused. Baseline is a potential solution to the compliance, outcomes, and quality of life issues that have been adversely affecting the renal community for years. One of the key components to Baseline is exercise as the leading cause of mortality in the renal community is the progression of cardiovascular disease. To learn more about Baseline and how it is positively impacting the renal community in the Canada please watch the educational video and then click on the link below to begin your Baseline experience.
Canadian Baseline Program Launching Sept 1st, 2010
According to leading studies, a regular dose of heart-pumping exercise can:
- increase energy
- improve muscle physical functioning
- help control blood pressure
- improve muscle strength
- lower level of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- lead to better sleep
- control body weight
Ultimately, you’ll feel better as you take control of your kidney disease by getting fitter. To help you get started, we recommend that you talk to your doctor, get an approval and discuss the types of exercise that will be best for you. He/she may suggest a certain number of days and hours each week so that you don’t overdue it too soon. Next step? Get moving. Find ways to work exercise into your daily routine. Make sure your regimen doesn’t conflict with your dialysis and medicine schedule. If you have a gym membership, dust it off and make the most of it. Talk to a personal trainer on staff about your needs. If you don’t belong to a gym, you’re not stuck. Try a variety of activities during the week.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Yoga is a great way to add flexibility and increase mobility
- Walk 20-30 minutes
- Take a dance class
- Participate in a team sport activity
- Go biking
- Try hiking
- Swim a lap or two at the community pool
The program will work to deliver key educational and informational content on the entire kidney disease spectrum through established community events with a focus on prevention. Physical fitness messaging as a means to deliver prevention is a critical component of the Sports Messaging program as it has made a significant impact on Shad Ireland’s life allowing him to transform from a dialysis patient struggling with his disease to the Ironman competitor he is today. We are a sports based society and the Shad Ireland Foundation Canada and its partners in this program believe that athletes have the ability to inspire individuals and communities in a way that is uniquely impactful. Combine that with a strategic plan to deliver educational information that is problem oriented and solution focused calling individuals and communities to take directed action and you will have an approach that will deliver sustainable impact. The Shad Ireland Foundation Canada is excited to partner and support other athletes who are committed to positive change and have proven the ability to mobilize large numbers within communities affected by the leading causes of renal failure. (Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes)
If you are living with kidney disease and are interested in learning how exercise can help create stabilization and rehabilitation in your life than we encourage you to consider applying for a Peg Smythe Fitness Grant.
To learn more or to apply for a grant click here
Patients we've helped
The Comeback
Amgen’s Medical Education Department
Shad Ireland is the only kidney dialysis patient in the world to ever compete in and complete an Ironman triathlon. In 2003, weighing a mere 90lbs, and having to connect to a dialysis machine every other day in order to survive, Shad was told that it was impossible to attempt such an endeavor. A year later he made history by completing Ironman Lake Placid. Since then he has completed 20 triathlons and a 4639-mile ride across America. Shad has always dreamed of racing the world famous Ironman World Championship race in Kona Hawaii. Still receiving dialysis treatments every other day in order to survive and with dreams of Hawaii on his mind
he has set his sights on coming back to Ironman- During a recent TV interview Shad said, “ The Comeback means so much more to me than the fulfillment of a personal dream. I am racing for my community. To show others who face challenges that an individual inspired can accomplish anything! I will lead by setting the example- If not me then who?”
Shad’s Official Race Season for The Comeback
Ironman Disney- May 16th, 2010
Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Minneapolis- July 10th, 2010
Ironman Canada- Aug 29th, 2010
Ironman Arizona- Nov 21st, 2010
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