The Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation is pleased to accept a generous donation from the North Emily Women's Institute. Today, the President of the Women's Institute, Kelly Connell and the Treasurer, Barb Hone presented a cheque for $500 to Erin Coons, Executive Director of the RMH Foundation.

"We certainly appreciate the ongoing efforts of organizations such as the Women's Institute, which are committed to bettering the community," said Coons. "Their gift will help to ensure dialysis services for patients, closer to home. These generous donations from the community are bringing us ever closer to our goal of $2.2 million, which represents the community's share of the total cost of the permanent dialysis unit."

The 19 members of the North Emily Women's Institute raise funds through their membership and by catering dinners. Each year, they choose a local initiative to support. This year, when a member suggested they support the Dialysis Campaign, Kelly Connell was in full support. "My grandfather is a dialysis patient. When he started getting treatments, he had to travel to Whitby. Then he was transferred to Peterborough, which was closer to home, but still a significant drive three times a week in all kinds of weather. Our family was so happy when he learned he would be one of the patients to be treated in the temporary dialysis unit at the Ross. We know how important it is for local families to have their loved ones treated locally. This permanent Dialysis Unit is an important project, and the Women's Institute is proud to support it."