About Us

Our Partners and Supporters

We are a grassroots organization that depends on and is grateful for the dedicated involvement of a wide variety of volunteers and financial supporters. All operations of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch are made possible by the generous support of many individuals and organizations. Some provide volunteer help, some financial, and our Partners in Health share our vision of kidney health and improved lives for all people affected by kidney disease. Read more

BC Branch celebrates 40 years of service in British Columbia

In 1971 a small group of citizens concerned about kidney disease formed The BC Kidney Association. Sergeant Ken Smith of the Vancouver City Police was its Founding President. Later that year, the Association joined The Kidney Foundation of Canada and became the BC Branch.In 1974, the Branch opened its first office and hired an Executive Director, Ann Munroe. During our first 40 years, 19 volunteer Branch Presidents have offered their individual leadership talents, which have enabled the Branch to grow into the vital, energetic and life-changing organization it is today.Read more

For more information about the work of the BC Branch, please view our Annual Reports:

2012 (pdf)
2011 (pdf)
2010 (pdf)
2009 (pdf)
2008 (pdf)
2007 (pdf)
2006 (pdf)
2005 (pdf)

Become a Member of The Kidney Foundation, BC Branch
Members support the Mission and the work of the Foundation, and they are part of a team that is actively working towards the goals of the Foundation. To help improve the lives of the over 240,000 British Columbians living with or at risk for kidney disease, download our Membership Application form and join us.

BC Branch Board of Directors and Executive for 2013-2014 

At The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch Annual General Meeting, held on Saturday May 4th 2013 and at the Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday May 5th, the new BC Branch Board of Directors and Executive for 2013-2014 was elected.   The new Board of Directors is comprised of 21 Directors: 10 Regional Directors who will represent the membership in the five geographic regions of the Province - two Regional Directors from each region.  Regions are consistent with the health authorities: Fraser, Interior, Norther, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island.   In addition, there are 11 Directors at Large, including the Past President (who is appointed.)

Executive Committee 
Ron Walker, President
Judtih Thompson, Vice-President
Anne Schultz, Vice-President
Cleta Brown, Vice President/Secretary  
Rick Leong, Treasurer  
Glen Wilson, Past President

Directors at Large

Paul Duperron
Dr. Robin Lowry
James Leong
Salman Manki
Ken Wiecke

Regional Directors

Lois Wilson (Fraser) 
Teresa Atkinson and Edna Humphreys (Interior)  
Bryndel Fell and Bonnie Leclerc (Northern)
Dennis McCann and Callan MacKinlay (Vancouver Coastal() 
Ken Merkley (Vancouver Island)  

Staff of the BC Branch

Karen Philp, Executive Director  
Pia Schindler, Director of Development   
Heather Johnson, Director of Programs 
John Breeden, Accountant
Claudine Fernandes, Administrative Assistant 
Deborah Tucker, Manager of Communications
Karen Koch, Senior Development Officer
Marie Hesse, Senior Development Officer
Barbara Valentine, Special Events Coordinator    
Tracy Riddell, Data Development Assistant
Vincent Wong, Fundraising Coordinator





British Columbia Branch - 200-4940 Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5G 4K6 - Tel.: (604) 736-9775 / 1-800-567-8112
Charitable Registration Number: 107567398RR0001