Young patients of the Dialysis Center in Chisinau danced to alert public opinion about the importance of monitoring the status of the kidneys, but also to show that life related to the dialysis device can be actively lived. The youngsters were supported by dancers of the Just Friends Dance Academy. They  managed to make a real show of rhythmic movements and good mood. The event is organized in the context of the International Youth Day.

For more than two weeks,  Dialysis Center patients from the 18 to 35 years old practiced to learn the movements of the dance that conquered Europe. They dance to sensitize public opinion about life in dialysis and to communicate through dance an extremely important message: “Hey, take care of your kidneys!”.

Their kidneys failed to function and in order to survive they are connected three times a week  to blood filtration devices. Renal insufficiency dictates not only the lifestyle that drastically changes, but also affects their civic attitude. Now they want to give warning to everyone about the things to be done to make sure that tomorrow is not too late. Although renal insufficiency is a  pathology specific for the elderly, around 11% of youngsters are involved in dialysis, and it is much more complicated to accept the diagnosis in their case. In some cases renal diseases develop absolutely asymptomatic and patients visit a doctor when their kidneys are no longer functioning.

“Some of the younger patients did not even suspect they had kidney problems. They were occasionally diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease after  the development of life-threatening complications. The psychological adaptation of people who only yesterday had an absolutely normal life and turned to be in a state of chronic disabling suffering is a real problem, “said Petru Cepoida, medical director of the Dialysis Center.

To ease the diagnosis shock, patients benefit from the services of the Dialysis Center psychologist. The specialist mentioned that preparing for flashmob was a real therapy for patients.

“It is more difficult for young patients to accept the diagnosis and dependence on the dialysis machine. During the adaptation period, it is very important to find the “meaning of life”, the support of both the family and the staff of the Dialysis Center, the psychological support at this time is very important. It gives the person confidence in the future and in a qualitative way of life . The event of the 10th of August gave us the opportunity to get to know each other, to interrupt our everyday routine. Throughout the rehearsals the patients were looking forward to the following meetings, they became more confident in them, more energetic, more optimistic and more lively. Each one of them is an example of living and enjoying every moment of life, “said Diana Ştirbu, the psychologist of the Dialysis Center.

Patients, who participated in flashmob, have been deeply impressed by the initiative they took part in.

Dumitru Butucea, 31 years old: “I like the organized activity. It makes me feel better, with a better mood after the dialysis sessions. Being included in dialysis, I’m liberated in performing the activities I like, but I do it very carefully”.

Ivan Popa, 32 years old: “I really enjoyed the trial runs of the flashmob. Finally, I talked to patients about something else but dialysis. I feel useful and as trusting in my own strength”.
The flashmob culminated with the message: “Hey, take care of your kidneys!”

Flashmob participants urge all people in the risk group: diabetics, hypertonics, those with certain renal pathologies developed over the course of their lifetime or hereditary, but also those who have not visited  the doctor for more than half a year – to check the condition of the kidneys by simple laboratory tests.

The event was organized in the context of the International Youth Day, which is annually celebrated worldwide on August 12th.

The Dialysis Center in Chisinau serves about 350 patients, 40 of them are young people. Dialysis services are provided under medical insurance policy.