Thank you for being part of our Kidney Companions community.

Here we will provide updates, highlight the people within Kidney Companions, and share stories and actions you can take in a broader community.

The Gift of Life Champions Gala was held on Thursday April 4th in Novi, Michigan. Several transplant and donor champions were recognized for their incredible work across the state. Each person plays a unique and critical role in making organ transplant possible. We were very privileged, as Kidney Companions, to be recognized for our small part, but what a wonderful recognition it was for our volunteers who help make it all possible for our kidney patients.

The 2nd Annual Trinity Health Kidney Transplant Symposium will be this Thursday, April 11th in Grand Rapids. As noted in last month’s newsletter, John and Molly will be presenting Kidney Companions: Improving Access to Kidney Transplants in Northern Michigan. 

Our volunteers have been doing a lot of the good work these past few weeks including drives down to Grand Rapids for all-day meetings at the transplant center. Thank you.

Join us at Silver Spruce!

On the second Thursday of each month, we gather for all who are interested in learning about Kidney Companions. We will always have an existing volunteer there for you to ask questions and listen to their experience. This is a great time to explore your interest in becoming a volunteer or invite someone who you think would be interested.

Our next gathering will be:

Thursday, April 11th

5-7 at Silver Spruce

439 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686

Looking ahead in 2024 tentative locations for Convos with Kidney Companions:

• May 9: Silver Spruce

• June 13: picnic table in the Commons by the bocce ball courts in front of Left Foot Charlie & Higher Grounds, with Left Foot Charlie or Earthen Ales as a backup for rain

• July 11: same as June

• Aug 8: same as June

• Sep 12: Silver Spruce

• Oct 10: Silver Spruce

• Nov 14: Silver Spruce

• Dec 12: Silver Spruce

Walk for about 30 minutes with a Kidney Companion.

All walks will be in the Traverse City area and at least one existing vetted Kidney Companion volunteer will be there. The walks are intended to build a habit for patients pre and post transplant surgery as well as be a time to socialize.

Currently, we have a regular walk on Tuesday mornings with a group of about 5 people. We will be expanding our walking program to offer another time(s) closer to the dialysis center soon.

Please let us know your interest with this link, or email molly@kidneycompanions.org and we will follow up directly with location and timing of a small group walk.

Patience and a knack for encouragement required!