d.HOLIDAY attended the National Kidney Federation (NKF) Annual Event in Blackpool, UK, on 2–3 October, helping raise awareness of holiday dialysis and the opportunities it creates for people who wish to travel.
Organised by the NKF, a UK charity run by kidney patients, for kidney patients, the annual event brings together patients, carers, patient associations and healthcare professionals to share experiences, access practical advice and discuss ways to improve life for people living with kidney disease. This year’s programme explored topics including dialysis, transplantation, rehabilitation, social support and patient wellbeing. These themes closely reflect d.HOLIDAY’s mission: helping people continue to live full and active lives while receiving treatment.
Representing d.HOLIDAY, Paulina Walkowiak, from Diaverum Spain, and Marta Olim, from Diaverum Portugal, shared a simple but powerful message: dialysis does not have to mean giving up holidays, visiting loved ones or travelling for work. With the right planning and support, travel can remain an important part of life.
A global team with local expertise
Making travel possible for patients starts with collaboration across borders.
The programme brings together 27 coordinators in 27 countries, who work closely with one another and with clinic teams to make holiday dialysis possible, both within patients’ home countries and abroad.
This collaboration connects patients with local expertise at their destination while helping coordinate treatment between their home and receiving clinics. The result is a seamless experience that gives patients confidence that their dialysis arrangements are in place and that a dedicated team is ready to support them throughout their journey.
Paulina and Marta’s joint participation reflected this approach. Together, they represented a wider international community united by a shared purpose: helping people on dialysis travel with confidence.
Connecting care, communities and partnerships
Throughout the event, the team connected with patients, patient associations, nurses, social workers and clinic colleagues. Located in the exhibition area, the d.HOLIDAY stand provided an opportunity to discuss travel options directly with attendees and share information about the support available before, during and after a holiday involving dialysis.
These conversations helped introduce d.HOLIDAY to new audiences, strengthen existing relationships and raise awareness of the support available.
“It was a great opportunity to talk about d.HOLIDAY, exchange ideas and strengthen existing relationships,” said Paulina.
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration in improving patients’ experiences. By connecting Diaverum’s expertise in renal care with patient communities and partner organisations, d.HOLIDAY helps more people access information, practical support and opportunities to travel.
“Sometimes people just need to know that travelling is possible and that there is someone at the other end ready to help them make it happen,” Marta explained.
Taking part in events such as the NKF Annual Event is an important part of this work. Through direct engagement with patients and families, collaboration with patient associations, and close cooperation with nurses and clinic teams, d.HOLIDAY helps more people discover the travel options available to them through professionals and teams they know and trust.
Wherever a journey begins, the purpose remains the same: bringing global coordination and local expertise together so that people on dialysis can travel with greater confidence and continue enjoying the experiences that matter most.
