Let's Talk About Kidney Problems
We happen to know that the dialysis machines are not quite up to scratch and would love to see people donate some money towards the Bendigo Health Dialysis Unit. Dialysis patients are people with kidney problems. Many of these people need to dialyse a minimum of 3 times a week. This can be anything from a 5 to 6 hour session each day. Even though each patient has an extremely comfortable recliner chair, you can imagine how much time has been taken away from their lives while each awaits the life-saving kidney operation which can be anything from a 3 year to 10 year wait. Almost 20 hours per week, just dialysing. And whilst waiting years for a kidney, patients can't simply go away on a holiday. No, they need to choose a holiday destination with a hospital close-by. This needs to be arranged through the hospital and also requires six week notice so dialysis treatments can be arranged at the destination hospital. Whilst visiting Tasmania recently, one 5 hour Bendigo patient was pleased to find the machines were much newer than ours and in fact this meant the dialysis had been completed within 3 hours, almost halving the time that it takes here in Bendigo. Of course, for the patient, it would have been dis-heartening returning back to Bendigo knowing a better way was possible with appropriate funding. The Good Guys in Williamson St. have been very helpful to the hospital in many ways. At one stage owner Mr Danny Clapp toured the dialysis unit to see first hand how and where he could possibly help. At the time it was rumoured that each patient might have their own DVD player to watch whilst stuck on their chairs but alas, this had not eventuated at the time of writing. I guess more important things pressed. The Good Guys have also been instrumental in hosting the Bendigo Health Christmas Appeal which launched its first season last year. This in itself is a monumental effort and will hopefully bring about much more than a few DVD players for the hospital. Good on ya Good Guys.