Kidney Wales Charity
Christmas Calendar 2021
Download and print our 2021 Charity advent calendar now
Wednesday 1st December
On this day in 2015 we welcomed the new opt-out law in Wales and in 2020 we celebrated the 5year anniversary. Read all about the law change and the impact of our involvement here https://www.kidneywales.cymru/news/2020/11/30/organ-donation-opt-law-marks-5-year-anniversary/
Thursday 2nd December
Be prepared for the cold. Are you eligible for winter fuel payments?
Find out if you are eligible for winter fuel payments by visiting the Governments website here.
Know how to be Winter Wise, find out more here
Friday 3rd December
Meet Bangor based PHD student and researcher, Emma Jones.
“Hi, my name is Emma Jones, I am a PhD student at Bangor University.
My research is being funded by Kidney Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Charity Friends of Renal Care, to explore why some patients with end stage kidney disease say ‘no’ to a kidney transplant.
My research aims to understand patient decision-making process leading to why some people choose to have a kidney transplant and understand the reasons why who are medically suitable for a kidney transplant refuse or disengage opting out of potentially receiving a kidney transplant.
I have a clinical nursing background and have worked as a renal nurse in haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis home haemodialysis and as a renal transplant clinical nurse specialist. My renal nursing experience translates into a passion to undertake this research, and I am very privileged and thankful for the opportunity to be able to do this research”.
If you are interested in supporting our vital research projects, click here to find out how you can help
Saturday 4th December
Colour in our Christmas D-dog! Share your works of art with us on social media using #KidneyChristmas and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a cute and cuddly D-dog toy of your own!
Download and print our D-dog images below, go with the classic D-dog image or push yourself with our challenging to colour D-dog. Colour them in using pens, pencils or digitally and share your completed masterpiece with us on social media!
Tag us on Instagram, Facebook and twitter using our handles and #KidneyChristmas We’ll announce our winners in the new year. You’ve no reason not to give this one a go! Have fun!
Colour classic D-dog – Classic
Colour challenging D-dog – Challenge
Tag us on
Sunday 5th December
It’s Volunteers Day! We’ve had over 20 individuals sign up to become a Volunteer Ambassador. We are still recruiting more Volunteer Ambassadors, to train and build the confidence, to organise and deliver presentations in local areas to educate and raise awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Rosie completed her training this month and is really looking forward to 2022!
“I am very excited to be part of the kidney Wales volunteer ambassador scheme. It’s been so lovely to meet other members of the kidney community, also volunteering, to share our knowledge and experiences. Kidney Wales was there for me when I most needed them, so I look forward to being able to give something back by helping to educate others and promote the amazing work kidney Wales does!”
Seimon is passionate about this new opportunity, but most importantly to give back.
“Pan ddysgwyd fod angen aren newydd ar fy nghariad oeddwn yn teimlo fel oedd y byd ar ben, ond oedd aren cymru yna hefo ni bob cam or ffordd. Hyn oedd y rheswm pan oeddwn i isho rhoi ynol i ylusen mor bwysig i ni. Yn y misoedd diwetha rwyf wedi dechra fy shwrna i fod yn rhan o project newydd aren cymru fel llysgennad. Yn barod rwyf wedi cwrdd a pobol anhygoel i gyd hefo stori persenol a gwahannol iw rhannu. Rydym wedi cael y cyfla i ddysgu gen person proffeshynol ar sut i shiarad yn gyhoeddus, rwbath oeddwn wedi mwynhau yn fawr iawn. Yn edrych ir dyfodol dwi wir yn edrych yn mlaen i baratoi fy araith dwi am cyflwyno, yn y gobaith alla i ddysgu mwy o fobl am yr aren a dangos y gwaith da mae aren Cymru yn neud bod dydd.”
“When we learnt that my partner was in kidney failure and would need a transplant, it felt like the world had come to an end, but kidney Wales supported us every step of the way. This was the reason I wanted to join the Ambassador role, to give back to such an important charity. In the last few months, I have started my journey to be part of Kidney Wales’s Ambassador Scheme. I have already met some amazing people, each one with a different and personal story to share. We have been given the opportunity to learn from a professional public speaker, this is something I enjoyed very much. I am excited for the next step of my journey where I will be able to prepare the talk I want to give, in the hope that I can teach people and encourage them to be more aware of their kidney health and also the great work Kidney Wales do on a daily basis. “
Want to know more? Click here
Monday 6th December
Know how to be safe this winter with Age Cymru, Care & Repair Wales and Age Connects Cymru
Vulnerable family members and loved ones should know that there are organisations that can help be safe this winter. Care & Repair Cymru, Age Cymru and Age Connects, have come together and combined forces to help address risks to health & wellbeing this winter. The Winter Preparedness Campaign has been broken down into four sections, Falls, Keeping Warm, Keeping Connected and Staying Healthy.
Find everything you need here.
Tuesday 7th December
Kidney patients have worries that extend beyond their health. We are helping patients by working with renal Social Workers from North to South Wales. Aiming to alleviate their worries, ensuring they can focus fully their treatment and living their best life. In 2021 we contributed to mobility scooter purchases and rentals, provided food vouchers, bought white goods, covered the cost of a house deep clean, paid towards patients rent, covered the cost of car repairs, paid towards utility bills, bought a bed and much more.
Your support enables us to help patients across Wales.
This is what that looks like:
How can I donate?
If you would like to make a donation Kidney Wales would welcome contributions through:
- A one-off donation to our holiday campaign https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/christmas2021KW
- A monthly gift https://www.kidneywales.cymru/get-involved/set-regular-donation/
- Hosting your own fundraising activity https://www.kidneywales.cymru/get-involved/fundraising/order-fundraising-pack/
Wednesday 8th December
Start a collaborative Christmas Playlist. Share your song recommendations using #KidneyChristmas
Thursday 9th December
Our researchers answer your questions and react to your assumptions.
Click here to watch now
Friday 10th December
Read the latest issue of the collaborative Kidney Patient Newsletter and catch up on past editions here
Kidney patients continue to be at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they catch COVID-19 and concerns are growing with the uncertainty around the new omicron variant.
The Kidney Charities Together group want to remind you of ways you can keep safe during this uncertain time:
- Get fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and flu, according to the schedule recommended for your circumstances, and make sure everyone in your household does the same
- Stay cautious – wear a mask and encourage others to do the same, socialise outdoors or in well ventilated spaces, keep your distance and avoid crowds
- Talk to your kidney team if you are worried
Saturday 11th December
Share a picture of your decorated Christmas Tree with us! #KidneyChristmas
Sunday 12th December
Have you spoken to your renal team or social workers about advanced care planning? Now’s the time.
Monday 13th December
Don and Donate!
Don your jumpers and Donate! We love to see your Christmas jumpers!
Don your festive jumpers, hats, earrings or even socks, take a selfie of you, your family and perhaps a pet and tag us on social media, share it with everyone using #KidneyChristmas and make a donation to Kidney Wales here
Kidney Wales
Tuesday 14th December
Go Christmas light spotting in your neighbourhood. Tag us in photos of your favourite lights
Wednesday 15th December
Arrange a virtual cook along with family or friends and enjoy some kidney friendly recipes from Kidney Care UK
They have some delicious ones here for you
Thursday 16th December
Watch a short video from Researcher and PHD student Lauren Jones as she tells us about her research
Watch the short video here
We are currently funding numerous research projects, we couldn’t do this without your continued support. To learn about more of the projects we are supporting and how you can help fund them please click here
Friday 17th December
5 things you might not know about kidneys and kidney transplants
#FactFriday
Saturday 18th December
Share your life hacks!
Do you have a favourite ‘life hack’ share it using #KidneyChristmas
Sunday 19th December
What’s on the box this Christmas? Check out our top TV picks from the Kidney Wales team
Monday 20th December
Our Fistula caps could save lives! Provide a fistula cap each month for a patient by setting up a regular gift of £2 a month?
Learn how to set up a monthly donation and support us today. Click here
Tuesday 21st December
Be Empowered and informed. Keep on top of your medication and sign up to Patient View
Wednesday 22nd December
To date we have given over 3000 kidney patients a free re-usable face-covering.
Order a face-covering here
Thursday 23rd December
Spot a robin and share the photo with us on social
Friday 24th December
Christmas Day prepping. What do you like prepare ahead of time?
Saturday 25th December
Nadolig Llawen
Last year we talked about sleep hygiene. Take time for a Christmas Day nap
Watch, Renal Clinical psychologist and Kidney Wales trustee, Dr Kate Shakepeare talk about good napping and sleep hygiene.
Sleep Hygiene and Napping with Dr Kate Shakespeare – YouTube
Sunday 26th December
Tell us your Favourite way to use the Christmas Day leftovers on
Boxing Day!
Monday 27th December
Watch Mair and, Renal Nurse, Mel in conversation, as they talk about Mair’s kidney journey
Tuesday 28th December
Have a recycling day. Save any good pieces of wrapping paper and use Christmas cards to make gift tags!
Wednesday 29th December
Write down three things you want to ask at your next medical appointment
Thursday 30th December
Take a break and call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
Friday 31st December
Go for a fresh and invigorating New Years Eve Winter Walk
Saturday 1st January
Happy New Year 2022!
Be bold! Enter our Fire Walk!
