Today, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation kicked off their annual spring fundraising campaign for much needed medical equipment.  This year’s campaign will assist with the purchase of the specialized equipment for the permanent dialysis unit. 

The Murray family from Balsam Lake is assisting the Foundation with the campaign.  As a family impacted by kidney disease, they are well aware of the importance of building a permanent dialysis unit in our community.  A letter from the Murrays is being mailed to every household in the City of Kawartha Lakes .

“It is not an understatement to say that a dialysis patient has a part-time job coping with life sustaining therapy and medical appointments.  People, like our son Andrew, who are on dialysis, manage this additional ‘job’ while at the same time try to maintain a normal family life,” said Aileen Murray.

Andrew Murray began his treatment today in the Hospital’s temporary dialysis unit.  Mrs. Murray added, “Until today, our family had a 160km round trip 3 times a week, to bring our son to dialysis in Peterborough .  With a treatment of 4 hours in addition to the drive, the trip was an 8 hour day.”

The Ministry of Health & Long Term Care completed a review of Renal Disease services.  They discovered that there are 50 people in the City of Kawartha Lakes that currently need dialysis services and have to travel to get these services elsewhere. That is why Ross Memorial Hospital has worked hard to be able to offer dialysis services now in a 6-station temporary unit. 

“For now, this temporary unit will help to address the needs of 24 patients, but the need for a permanent unit remains,” said Murray .

A specialized service such as dialysis requires state-of-the-art equipment and government funding does not cover the cost of purchasing these items.  “That is why we are appealing to all residents to assist us in our efforts to raise $100,000 towards the purchase of specialized equipment for the permanent unit.  This will help to ensure that families like ours, and others in the future, can get the care they need close to home,” added Murray.

For more information about this or other fundraising opportunities, contact the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation at 705-328-6146 or mail to: 10 Angeline St N, Lindsay, ON, K9V 4M8 .  For your convenience, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation now accepts online donations.  Please visit our website at www.rmh.org and click the “Donate Now” button.

For information contact:

Kim Coulter, Employee & Community Relations
705-328-6246