In these uncertain times, where COVID-19 has redefined the rules of travel, it has never been more important for our industry to engage in conversations about how can it can empower kidney patients to live out their dreams of travel safely. For this reason, our annual gathering of holiday coordinators, patient associations and advocates, travel agencies & key partners had a special purpose this year.

The focus of the event was to increase awareness of travel possibilities and mobility for kidney patients, as well as ways of supporting patients & staff in making it possible – all aiming to empower kidney disease patients as well as their friends and families to live fulfilling lives.

Meet our speakers

Michaela Blomstrand

Michaela is Diaverum’s Director of Patient Experience and Community Affairs, and is also responsible for the global d.HOLIDAY programme. Michaela is a certified dialysis nurse and also holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She has over ten years’ experience of working with holiday dialysis.

Dr Fernando Macário

Dr Macário holds an M.D. in nephrology and has broad experience in renal medicine and kidney transplantation, including basic and clinical research. Dr Macário was instrumental in shaping Diaverum’s clinical policies to ensure the protection of staff and patients against COVID-19. This included being a vocal advocate for vaccination, leading to a 80% rate of fully vaccinated clinical staff by the end of July 2021, which is on the frontline of industry standards.

Daniel Gallego

Daniel Gallego is the president of the European Kidney Patient´s Federation (EKPF). He has held the position since 2020; previously, he was the president of the ALCER Federation. Daniel has also acted as Secretary of Social Impact and 2030 Agenda in COCEMFE (Spanish Confederation of people with physic and organic disabilities) since 2018. Daniel has been a kidney patient for almost 30 years, and has undergoing hemodialysis since 1995.

Filipe Almeida

Filipe Almeida has been a dialysis patient since 2017. As the father of three boys and with a passion for life, he was gravely concerned that his diagnosis would mean he wouldn’t be able to live a normal life. Despite this, Filipe has been able to shape hemodialysis around his hobbies and continue to live his life to the fullest. His greatest passion is travel; he has visited over 30 countries and thrives on discovering new cultures.

Aris Bailan

Aris was one of the first entrepreneurs to identify a gap in renal healthcare, and more specifically, the booking process of holiday dialysis treatments. In 2018, he launched booknowmed.com, offering renal patients treatment options in over 50 countries worldwide. Booknowmed.com became part of Diaverum’s portfolio in February 2021. Since then, Aris has assumed a new role within Diaverum.

Colin White

Colin is a National Advocacy & Projects Manager for the Irish Kidney Association, and also manages dialysis plans for athletes participating in the biennial European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships. He is also involved with the European Kidney Patients Federation. Colin’s wife, Chikoyo, has been on dialysis since 2001, so he also brings the ‘lived experience’ and the positive impact of dialysis away from base not only for the ‘patient’, but also for their family and friends.

Download presentations

Michaela Blomstrand The d.HOLIDAY programme

PDF 2.36 MB

Dr Fernando Macário COVID-19 how to travel safely

PDF 1.07 MB

Daniel Gallego Promoting Encouraging Mobility for People with Kidney Disease

PDF 3.26 MB

Filipe Almeida Traveling the world as a dialysis patient

PDF 3.39 MB

Aris Bailan Booknowmed_Holiday dialysis travels made easy

PDF 2.92 MB

Colin White Freedom and empowerment through travel.pdf

PDF 2.02 MB

As good medical care must be guaranteed, we have created the d.HOLIDAY programme. This enables dialysis patients to get easy access to Diaverum dialysis care in cities or countries other than where they live. With more than 450 Diaverum clinics around the world, you have plenty of locations to choose from and can travel with the reassurance of knowing there is high quality and personalised dialysis care at your destination.

Discover our d.HOLIDAY programme

Diaverum recently hosted its traditional annual d.HOLIDAY conference where Diaverum holiday coordinators, patients and patient associations, travel agencies and other key people met and created fruitful connections.

Focus of the event was to increase awareness of travel possibilities and mobility for kidney patients, ways of supporting patients & staff in making it possible – all aiming to empower kidney disease patients as well as their friends and families to live a fulfilling life.

Day 1 – Wednesday, 20 October

14:00 – 14:15
The d.HOLIDAY programme
Michaela Blomstrand, Head of d.HOLIDAY Diaverum

14:15 – 14:45
COVID-19: how to travel safely
Fernando Macário, Chief Medical Officer Diaverum

14:45 – 15:15
Promoting & encouraging mobility for people with kidney disease
Daniel Gallego, President EKPF

15:15 – 15:45
Traveling the world as a dialysis patient
Filipe Almeida, Patient

16:00 – 17:00
Workshop session: How can we empower kidney patients to travel?

Day 2 – Thursday, 21 October

14:00 – 14:15
Quick recap of Day 1
Michaela Blomstrand, Head of d.HOLIDAY Diaverum

14:15 – 15:15
Booknowmed: Holiday dialysis travels made easy
Aris Bailan, Booknowmed CEO

15:15 – 15:45
Freedom and empowerment through travel
Colin White, Family member & advocate, Irish Kidney Association

16:00 – 17:00
Workshop session: Let’s partner up!

Diaverum in numbers

452

Clinics around the world

24

Countries across four continents

14,000

Employees worldwide

6.2 m

Treatments annually

Contact details

Michaela Blomstrand

Mobile: +46 766 43 30 26

Reach me via email

Download the full agenda

Diaverum d.HOLIDAY Conference Agenda 20-21 October 2021

PDF 2.51 MB

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