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Dear Friends,
Today is World Kidney Day! According to the International Society of Nephrology, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide. In 2040, CKD is projected to become to 5th leading cause of years of life lost, highlighting the urgent need for global strategies to combat kidney disease.
This year, Bridge of Life is working to increase our impact in reducing chronic kidney disease by screening 10% more people this year - striving to reach 5,100 people in 2025. Our screenings don't just identify risks, they empower people to take control of their health and prevent disease before it's too late.
In honor of World Kidney Day's 2025 theme, Are Your Kidneys Okay?, we encourage you learn more about major risks for kidney disease and take this quick quiz to find out if your kidneys are healthy.
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Empowering Teams & Enhancing Patient Care
Holy Cross Dialysis Center | Nagercoli, India
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We've just returned from India after conducting extensive training with the Holy Cross Hospital Dialysis Center. Our team connected with 29 passionate healthcare professionals determined to elevate care for their community. Together, we embarked on an intensive training program covering critical dialysis care components:
- Infection Control
- Access Care
- Heparinization Management
- Adequacy of Dialysis
- Reprocessing of Dialyzers
- Hemodialysis Machine Maintenance and Repair Practices
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This training will have a direct positive impact on the 97 patients currently receiving dialysis treatment at the center. By enhancing the skills of the healthcare team, we're helping to ensure that each patient receives the highest standard of care possible.
We're grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the Holy Cross Hospital staff throughout the training program, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits for both the healthcare providers and their patients!
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Spotlighting Our Work in Guatemala | |
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A Life-Changing Fistula!
Meet Nohemy - a mom, a friend, a warrior and now, someone with newfound freedom! After battling kidney failure due to COVID and hypertension, she endured a tough journey on hemodialysis, struggling with repeated catheter infections. But in October last year, Bridge of Life's surgical team placed a fistula for her, and on this visit to Guatemala, she returned beaming!
"Look at this miracle of a fistula! It's quality!" she proudly shared, showing off her arm. For the first time in over a year, Nohemy can bathe, work, and even swim without the fear of infection holding her back. As someone who cleans public areas, the exposed catheter put her at constant risk.
Now, she can live life without the worry of another set back from her catheter.
THIS is the power of access to dialysis care!
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PD Room Impact
When we first met little Abiel, he was in unbearable pain getting in-center hemodialysis treatment hours from his home. However, on his 10th birthday, our team arrived at Abiel’s home to build a peritoneal dialysis (PD) room, giving him the ability to receive treatment at home. At the time, Abiel was weak and too sick to even enjoy the surprise birthday party we had planned. Undeterred, our volunteers got to work, creating a space that wasn’t just functional—it was filled with soccer balls, his favorite players, and Paw Patrol touches, making it truly his own. The impact was life-changing. No more painful catheters. No more exhausting travel for treatment. No more missing school.
Now, Abiel’s mom manages his dialysis treatment at home, with him happily lending a hand. He’s healthier, stronger, and full of energy. Our favorite update? A photo of Abiel in school, learning alongside his friends—exactly where he belongs!
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Providing Support for High Risk Patients
NECH-CIECH | Port Salut, Haiti
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In January, BOL successfully completed a 3-year project focused on improving healthcare delivery in Haiti. Because of the political unrest and ongoing challenges, Haiti has become an increasingly difficult place to work. Despite the obstacles that affected the project timeline, scope, and ability to get supplies to certain areas, Bridge of Life and our on-the-ground partner, NECH-CIECH, remained committed to serving and supporting community members of the Port Salut region.
The program screened 1,770 community members for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease and held 293 healthy activities to over 5,800 attendees! We connected 570 identified as high risk people with Community Health Workers who provided ongoing education, home visits, and health monitoring. In less than a year, 20% showed improved health outcomes, while 62% maintained stable conditions. This success demonstrates how targeted health education and local healthcare partnerships can drive meaningful community health improvements, even in resource-limited settings. Thank you to the Cencora Impact Foundation for supporting this initiative!
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“I can stand on my own two feet. I can do everything with my body thanks to the exercises.” - Mrs. Louis, Participant, Haiti (January 2025) | |
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Upcoming Missions & Events
Interested in getting involved or joining us on an upcoming service trip? View our program calendar & submit an application on our website.
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