Born in Barbados, Maureen moved to Canada in 2005 to begin a new chapter. She managed high blood pressure for years, not realizing it could be a sign that her kidneys were gradually declining. By the time she was diagnosed, her kidney disease had already progressed to near end‑stage, and she required dialysis almost immediately. The shift was sudden as overnight treatments, strict schedules, and the emotional weight of living with chronic illness became part of her daily reality. 

“Dialysis becomes part of your life,” Maureen shared. “You plan around it and sometimes feel like it interrupts your life, but you also learn that you’re stronger than you think.” 

Maureen came to SHN to begin dialysis, a journey that unexpectedly placed her at the heart of an important discovery. Her experience reflected a troubling pattern that nephrologist Dr. Tabo Sikaneta had been observing—certain immigrant and ethnic groups in Scarborough were appearing more frequently among patients with kidney failure.  

When Maureen agreed to take part in his study, she did not just contribute to vital research; she gained life-changing insight. Through the process, she learned how people like her are often diagnosed too late, and how earlier, more regular screening could make all the difference. 

Care that Meets Patients Where They Are 

SHN’s Regional Nephrology Program, the largest of its kind in Ontario, supports thousands of patients across every stage of kidney disease, from early diagnosis to dialysis and transplant coordination. For patients like Maureen, that means coordinated, specialized care close to her Scarborough home. 

Over time, dialysis has become part of her rhythm. She brings what she needs—books, music, her phone charger—for the long overnight sessions and greets familiar staff and fellow patients. The unit, once intimidating, now feels like a community. 

“The nurses and doctors here really look after you,” she said. “They explain every step. They check in on how you’re feeling. The treatment for this condition can be demanding and sometimes lonely, and my care team has made sure I don’t feel alone.” 

Maureen is currently on the transplant waiting list and remains hopeful about the future. In the meantime, she focuses on maintaining her health and staying connected to her community. 

“I’m feeling better now than when I first started thanks to the support from my family and my care team at SHN,” she said. “It takes adjustment, but you learn how to live well with it.” 

Turning Lived Experience into Learning 

Initiated in 2018, led by SHN nephrologist Dr. Tabo Sikaneta and published in BMJ Open in December 2025, the study revealed that immigrants from certain regions—including the Caribbean—face a significantly higher risk of progressing to end-stage kidney disease. In fact, country of birth was a stronger predictor of dialysis risk than ethnicity alone. Immigrants from the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka were six to twelve times more likely to receive dialysis than Canadian-born residents, putting them at a particularly high risk of end-stage kidney disease. 

The experience was eye-opening for Maureen, who had no idea she was at higher risk of kidney disease before her diagnosis.   

“Maureen’s journey reflects both the challenges of advanced kidney disease and the strength patients bring to their care,” shared Dr. Sikaneta. “Our role is to walk alongside them and provide not only treatment, but education, continuity, and encouragement so they can live as fully as possible.” 

These insights are now helping inform more proactive conversations at SHN about targeted kidney screening, with the goal of identifying patients earlier, before dialysis becomes necessary. When kidney disease ​is detected early through simple blood and urine tests, medication and lifestyle changes can significantly slow its progression. 

Today, Maureen speaks with deep gratitude, not only for the care she continues to receive, but for the relationships and knowledge that have empowered her to understand her health in a new way, and to be a part of change that could protect others like her. She encourages others—especially those living with high blood pressure or diabetes, both major risk factors for kidney disease—to speak with their healthcare provider about kidney screening. ​