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DETROIT - If you are living with chronic kidney disease or you care for someone with kidney disease, consider taking an upcoming Kidney Personal Action Toward Health (KPATH) virtual workshop presented by the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM). Offered at no cost to participants, the eight-week online workshop features a facilitator working with a small group to explore skills and tools to help people with kidney disease and their loved ones improve the quality of their lives. Session topics include controlling symptoms, decreasing stress, advocating for yourself, communicating with health providers, and more. The KPATH workshops are open to all residents in Michigan and caregivers are welcome. Participate from home - no transportation needed! Registrants can join the following KPATH workshop with a computer, tablet or smartphone:

Kidney PATH

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Information Session – Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Classes start on Wednesday, April 27, but new participants can join through Wednesday, May 4.

Sessions 1-8: April 27; May 4 to 25; June 1 to 15.

To register for this workshop, contact Ascension Health at 248-849-5752. A Zoom meeting link will be sent to all registered participants.

To find additional PATH programs, visit nkfm.org/PATH or mihealthyprograms.org.

If you do not use electronic devices, self-directed learning is available. We can mail you a no-cost toolkit and provide live phone support with a small group. For more information, call 800-482-1455.

"I was so surprised at how good it felt to just talk with other people who have the same disease. That made such a difference for me," states Katja Hansen about Kidney PATH. Katja, who lives in southeast Michigan, especially loved learning how to deal with the mental stress of chronic disease and creating action plans. "I have found that the action plan is very helpful, especially setting mini-goals. It provides a certain amount of accountability," she continues. "For problems, the group would brainstorm solutions, and everybody had a different perspective."

Katja appreciated that participants were able to vent their frustrations with chronic disease. "Taking the classes and listening to others' experiences has been very empowering. This actually helped me to live with it easier and feel like I can do this."

This interactive workshop is just one of many distance-learning options on disease prevention, disease management and physical activity for all ages now provided by the NKFM. For more information, visit nkfm.org/distancelearning or call 800-482-1455.