HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-04-12, Page 1414 Signal Star • Wednesday, April 12, 2017
World Autism Day
Several Members of Council, Mayor Morrison, Katie Brindley -
Ryan and her children, braved the weather to attend the
Autism Ontario flag raising ceremony on Monday April 3.
Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star
The Autism Ontario flag raised alongside
the Town of Goderich flag, outside of
Town Hall.
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Newly renovated
Dialysis Unit at
Alexandra Marine
and General Hospital
Kathleen Smith
Goderich Signal Star
Paid through donations made from
the community to the 'Dialysis
95p1us20' campaign group, Alexndra
Marine and General Hospital (AMGH)
revealed the newly renovated Dialysis
Unit.
Last week members of the.cornmu-
nity were invited to AMGH to see the
enhanced Dialysis Unit.
Campaign Chair John Grace
addressed those in attendance, thank-
ing the community and service groups
for their donations and volunteer hours
in support of those patients who
undergo Dialysis.
"I want to recognize that healthcare
is on the leading edge of technology
and there is that same technology in
this room," said Grace.
According to John Grace, during the
1990's, patients used to have to travel to
London for Dialysis treatment. At its
peak, 11 patients would travel to Lon-
don, three times a week for a four-hour
treatment session.
AMGH did not have the facilities to
offer treatment to patients, but did pro-
vide a transport van, supported by 30
volunteer drivers - strength of the
community.
"This is all about community and I
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find that this community has taken over
ownership of Dialysis; where it's been
and where it's going," said Grace.
Through the `Dialysis95plus20' cam-
paign, the AMGH Dialysis Unit opened
in June 2001, and after 16 years, it was
necessary to update the Unit for staff
and patient's comfort and safety.
A retired nurse, Betty Hendrik and
daughter of a patient, was appreciative
of the Unit and remarked on how much
of an influence it has had on her moth-
er's experience going through treat-
ments: "I would like to thank everyone
who supported the changes to this unit.
Coming into this unit and seeing the
changes, there are all so incredible,
safer and great for the nursing staff too.
I can't say enough, so thank you."
Before AMGH had it's own Dialysis
Unit, patients would travel to London
three times a week, and the Campaign
Group knew there must be changes to
help the patients in the community and
raised $150 000.
"We continued to advocate and push.
We talked to anyone who would listen,
from politicians to health care bureau-
crats and healthcare providers. We
were relentless, Grace explained about
the years of hard work the community
put in, resulting with a Dialysis Unit at
AMGH.
The reveal of the newly enhanced
Dialysis Unit, as well as the dedication
plaque, filled the room with members
of the community from service groups,
private funders, staff and patients who
have been affected by the Dialysis Unit
at AMGH.
Patient Sam Malhotra stood up and
spoke about his particular experience
with Dialysis. Residing in Kincardine,
Malhotra used to drive to London for
treatments, three times a week. The
Dialysis Unit at AMGH has not only
saved Malhotra time, but his life.
"A year and a half ago, my kidney
failed. I ended up in the hospital for a
couple of months. I couldn't afford the
expenses and the time it would take.
This facility has helped me and other-
wise I would not be here today,"
explained Malhotra.
The enhancement of the Dialysis
Unit was dedicated to a long time sup-
porter and volunteer driver of patients,
Carlyle Bannister.
Three of his cousins, Barb O'Brien,
Dianne Leady and Peggy Cook were in
attendance to accept the dedication in
his honour. See page 18 for more on
this story.