Eminent Kidney Experts Join Dialysis Discussion Panel on Sept. 4

Aug. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Drs. Margetts and Pierratos will join a local dialysis patient in a discussion offering personal insights and key information on this topic relevant to people facing dialysis treatment for many reasons, such as polycystic kidney disease, kidney injury and diabetes.

The dialysis panel discussion on September 4, 2011 from 2pm to 4pm at the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton is the second in a series of 2-hour informational and support meetings hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada six times a year. They are open to the public and free of charge. The venue is accessible and on-site parking is available.

Dialysis, a process that filters waste and excess water from the blood, is used when there is a loss of kidney function. Because nearly 50% of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients will require dialysis at some point, it is of important that patients and their families understand the different types of dialysis available, how they work, and the risks and benefits of dialysis.

A member of the Hamilton Centre for Kidney Research and the Centre for Gene Therapeutics, Dr. Peter Margetts runs a research laboratory with interests in peritoneal dialysis, progressive renal disease and gene therapy. His clinical practice involves general nephrology, chronic kidney disease, and dialysis, with a special interest in peritoneal dialysis. He teaches at McMaster University and is presently the director of the MD/PhD programme.

Nephrologist Andreas Pierratos has pioneered in and contributed to the research and adoption of Nocturnal Hemodialysis over the past 16 years. Currently, Dr. Pierratos is Head of Home Hemodialysis at Humber River Regional Hospital, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Provincial Lead for Independent Dialysis for the Ontario Renal Network.

For more information, see www.endpkd.ca/Hamilton/index.asp  or call 1-877-410-1741.

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About: The Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada, (a non-profit), offers informational support meetings free of charge, six times a year.
About 12.5 million people worldwide have PKD – one of the most common, life-threatening, genetic diseases. PKD causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure. Presently dialysis and/or kidney transplantation are the only treatment options. The PKD Foundation of Canada raises money for PKD research and promotes awareness.