Travel is a profoundly human experience. From the earliest migrations of our ancestors, driven by survival and curiosity, to the modern-day journeys in pursuit of knowledge, adventure, and connection, travel is intricately woven into the way we experience & understand the world around us. Yet, for CKD patients, travel can feel out of reach; the complexities of the disease—from strict dietary and fluid intake requirements, to the need for life-sustaining dialysis treatments—create barriers that make travel seem impossible.
Enter Marta Olim, Portugal’s d.HOLIDAY Travel Coordinator. Her lifelong journey through healthcare, together with her deeply empathetic approach to the patients she cares for, has propelled her to break down barriers for CKD patients, ensuring they too have the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom, and human connection that travel brings. It’s this relentless dedication that earned her recognition as the 2024 Passion Award winner—the second consecutive win for Portugal in this category. This is her story.
"From my earliest days, my life, values, and priorities have been shaped by the people around me. There are three individuals in particular, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for where I am today.
My parents, like for many others, are a key source of inspiration. My mother, a psychologist, encouraged me greatly with her work. She showed me that our inner lives — our mental well-being and sense of belonging — are inseparable from our physical health. My father, who is no longer with us, instilled in me the belief that determination, persistence – and Passion – can sustain you through the biggest hardships, to succeed in what you believe in the most.
Last, but certainly not least, is my grandfather, with whom I was exceptionally close – he lived with CKD for a number of years, at a time when the disease was not widely understood in Portugal. I spent much of my time at his bedside during his final years, helping to care for him and to offer him comfort. Even at the young age of nine, this experience gave me a deep insight into how much CKD impacts the lives of both patients and the people that care & love for them.
What left the greatest impression on me, however, was his longing to return to his hometown. We lived in Lisbon, but he was from Mondim de Basto, and had spent most of his life in Angola. Despite his deep desire to go back, his dependence on being near a dialysis centre made it impossible. These memories have stayed with me throughout my life and became the inspiration behind Vamos Viajar Juntos (‘Let’s Travel Together’).
I am incredibly proud of how this initiative has evolved. We began in 2023, with one trip for 20 Portugal- based dialysis patients and their caregivers, and I must say that level of complexity involved in its planning was daunting. From pre- booked hotels to ensuring certified nurses were available throughout the journey; transfers; daily guided tours, to ensuring that the providers we worked with understood and responded to the specific needs of those patients. But it was all so worth it. Playing a role in enabling patients and their caregivers, many of whom hadn’t had the chance to travel in years – to connect and share these moments of real joy, all the while living with a disease that makes them feel ‘normality’ is out of reach – was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve known in my career.
The success we saw in this very first attempt has inspired even bigger plans. In 2025, we plan to take three groups on similar trips, including one with our younger patients that are under 30. I also hope to plan at least one trip outside Portugal – my hopes and ambitions for Vamos Viajar Juntos unfold a little more, with every success.
It’s quite surreal for this idea that started in Portugal, to be seen and celebrated worldwide through the Diaverum Awards. I still laugh when I recall the moment I found out that I won – it happened that I was travelling by car with Jette Thaarup, a representative of the Danish Kidney Patients Association, as well as other colleagues,
for work, when the Finalists’ Ceremony began. We managed to connect by phone to watch it, and the reactions when my name was announced were really something — a lot of laughter, tears, and commotion in such a small space! We made an impromptu stop to celebrate with a pastel de Belém (a traditional Portuguese custard tart), which added a touch of sweetness to the special moment and I was so pleased to share it many times over with my colleagues and family.
More than anything, this recognition, both humbling and incredible, has renewed my sense of energy and purpose for the role I serve. My grandfather’s journey with CKD showed me firsthand how isolating the condition can be - but in my role today, I have the privilege of being a companion and champion to those that need it the most. I carry his memory with me in the work I do, striving to offer others what he longed for: a sense of connection, dignity, and the reassurance that life doesn’t end with a CKD diagnosis — it simply takes a new direction."
