Board of Directors

Marie-Eve Chainey, President

Marie-Eve Chainey has been on dialysis since 2002 when she was diagnosed with aHUS (atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome) at the age of 18. She graduated with honors in nursing at the University of Ottawa in June 2013 and volunteers training and helping others stay fit and healthy. She is also a volunteer with The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s peer support program and a speaker for Healthpartners Speakers’ Bureau. She is a member of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, training and competing in high jump. She is able to do all of this because she is participating in a unique home nocturnal hemodialysis program offered at the Ottawa Hospital. Marie-Eve believes that “Alive to Strive Kidney Fitness Project” will be a great tool to help support and teach other chronic kidney patients to pursue and achieve their fitness goals, as well as help patients reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Deborah Zimmerman, Medical Advisor & Sponsorship Coordinator

Deborah Zimmerman has been a kidney doctor at the Ottawa Hospital since 1999. She has been a medical advisor for the Kidney Foundation of Canada and is currently a member of the Canadian Society of Nephrology council. She is interested in improving the quality of life for people with end stage kidney disease with a focus on home dialysis treatment options. For patients with chronic kidney disease, Dr. Zimmerman recommends physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity has been shown to improve blood pressure, sugar control (for people with diabetes mellitus) and help to maintain a healthy weight. Ultimately patients will feel better and may even be able to reduce the number of medications that they have to take. To maintain her own fitness, she rides 3 horses competitively, works with a personal trainer and runs when there is time left in the day.

Danielle Moorman, Board Member

Danielle Moorman is currently completing her Internal Medicine training at The Ottawa Hospital. She completed her medical education in Ireland. Prior to starting medical school Danielle completed a Master’s of Science at the Kidney Research Centre in Ottawa where she focussed on understanding the development and progression of chronic disease using animal and cell based models. When she is not studying or working Danielle spends time running, weight training, and hiking with her husband and miniature schnauzer.

Marc-André Chainey, Board Member and Race Co-Director

Marc-André Chainey joined the Alive to Strive Race Committee in 2010 and the Board in 2012. He is a civil engineer in the transportation consulting industry with a particular focus on bridges. A first eye-witness to the beneficial effects of physical activities and a healthy lifestyle, he understands how crucial a support system can be for those living with kidney disease. Through the Alive to Strive Kidney Fitness Project, he hopes to offer the resources and support system required for chronic kidney disease patients to accomplish their goals and a healthy, active lifestyle. To meet his personal fitness goals, he follows daily exercise routines developed to accommodate the high pace of life and routinely enjoys out-door activities.