Spotlight: Salima Witt, Patient/Caregiver Advisory Council

Salima Witt is a kidney cancer survivor and a member of the KCA’s Patient and Caregiver Advisory Council, which serves as the voice of the patient and provides the vital link between the patient community and the KCA.

We spoke to Salima about her work with the KCA

How long have you been working with the KCA and what motivated you to get involved? 

I’ve been involved with the KCA for six months now. I wanted to share my journey and learn from others, their stories, their journeys together learning from one another.

What are you excited to bring to the organization?

I hope to bring hope and perspective. That others who maybe in the middle of treatment or just finding out they have kidney cancer may see that there is an after and not only life after but a productive, pain free, physical life after for most. 

I strive daily to take care of myself first and foremost. My decisions daily are conscious choices to take care of my health first and foremost, whether its physical activity, eating right, spending time with those we love. For others to also know they are not alone. There are many who have gone through kidney cancer and we are all connected.

What is your favorite travel destination and why?

I’ve travelled all over the world. Almost all continents. I don’t have one destination I prefer. There are so many beautiful places in the world. Some with deep history and some with sheer beauty. One of my favorites are the Galapagos Islands. I am a primate keeper and have always had a love for animals. The rich diversity of wildlife not found anywhere else on earth captured my interest to these islands.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend time with the ones I love, furry ones or human ones LOL. I prefer being in nature whether it is hiking or camping anything that has to do with nature is a go to for me.