Educational Events: Take Charge
take charge of your kidney health
connecting you to resources and education
You should attend this workshop if:
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You have kidney disease, kidney failure, or a kidney transplant
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You are a caregiver
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You have any risk factors for chronic kidney disease, including diabetes or hypertension
At the end of the 8 weeks, you will learn how to:
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Manage everyday activities
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Control symptoms and decrease stress
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Improve communication skills
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Avoid complications
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Improve your overall health and increase your energy
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Become an advocate for yourself
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Understand fluid restrictions and dialysis
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Ask a panel of experts more about kidney disease
“I am so grateful that someone has come up with this kind of support that dialysis patients and kidney transplant patients need. This program is a lifesaver”
– Take Charge participant Dorothy J
Take Charge: Chronic Disease Self Management Program is an eight-week, 2.5 hour-long workshop for participants who are in various stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. The first six weeks focus on overall healthy living, with two additional sessions that cover kidney specific content. There will be an additional, optional pre-session the week before we start that’s an orientation to the online platform. This event is offered free of charge to participants. Participants should plan to attend all eight sessions.
meet the facilitators
Meet Kimberley, a four-time kidney transplant recipient, brain cancer survivor, and advocate. Inspired by her own journey with lupus nephritis and CKD, she now mentors others with kidney disease. She lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband (one of her kidney donors), two kids, and three rescue dogs.
Meet Kyle. His kidney journey began in August 2013, spanning various dialysis treatments, including in-center, peritoneal, and home hemodialysis, before receiving a deceased donor transplant in December 2019. Over the years, he has educated others on treatment options, diet, and traveling with chronic kidney disease while advocating for legislative issues as an ambassador for organizations like the National Kidney Foundation and NKFI.
date & time
Join us virtually on Zoom
Thursdays, January 16 to March 6
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
registration information
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Registration is free: as are all program materials.
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Pre-registration online: is required for all attendees.
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Donations: to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois are welcome and will help cover additional program expenses.
locations & details
WEEKLY AGENDA
Week 1
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Fatigue and getting a good night's sleep
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The mind-body connection/distraction
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Introduction to Action Plans
Week 2
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Introduction to problem-solving
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Dealing with difficult emotions
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Introduction to physical activity and exercise
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Preventing falls and improving balance
Week 3
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Making decisions
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Pain management
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Endurance exercise
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Healthy eating
Week 4
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Better breathing
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Reading food labels - Part 1
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Problem solving
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Communication skills
WEEKLY AGENDA
Week 5
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Reading food labels - Part 2
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Medication usage
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Relaxation body scan
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Dealing with depression
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Communicating with ourselves
Week 6
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Making informed treatment decisions
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Working with your health care team
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Guided imagery relaxation
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Looking back and planning for the future
Week 7
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What is chronic kidney disease
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Connection between kidney disease and other chronic conditions
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Tools to manage kidney disease
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Navigating the health care system
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Patient reference and important medical tests
Week 8
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Menu planning for stage 3-4 kidney disease
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Panel discussion
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Motivation for a healthy future
PRAISE FOR TAKE CHARGE
"I enjoyed everyone who participated in the Take Charge program. My experience was something that was both educational and life changing. I’m very determined to stay the course with eating healthy and limiting my protein intake.”
– Take Charge participant
kidney health resources
empowering through education
program sponsors
you make the difference
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is able to support patients and families, conduct free educational seminars, and offer community screening days through the generosity of our passionate supporters, and a remarkable team of dedicated sponsors. For more information on sponsoring this program, contact Wesley Bauer at wbauer@nkfi.org.
