Year-end funds to support dialysis project

The Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation will direct its year-end appeal funds to the dialysis campaign.  Funds will be used to expand and relocate the dialysis unit to a different section of the KRHC facility.

“We are so grateful for the support the community has shown for health care services in the past year,” said KRHC Foundation Director Nancy Grandgenett-Besch.  “We met our goal of $1.5 million for the capital campaign and have continued to roll right into the dialysis project.  The Kossuth County area is home to many generous individuals and businesses. That support for community improvement is part of what makes this a great place to live and work.”

Dialysis service is offered at Kossuth Regional Health Center through a partnership with Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa.  KRHC leases the space and Mercy provides the necessary operations staff, equipment and specialists.  The current dialysis unit is able to service 15 patients and current has a waiting list of others who need the dialysis treatment. 

“Dialysis is a life-sustaining service and right now we have people that we could be serving locally that must drive at least an hour or more to receive treatment three days a week,” said Scott Curtis, KRHC Administrator.  “Being on dialysis isn’t easy and adding a drive on top of that makes it quite a challenge for both patients and their caregivers.”

The KRHC Foundation plans to raise $250,000 for the expansion and relocation of the dialysis unit.  The small room that currently holds five treatment chairs and a few chairs for a waiting area will be relocated to a different area of KRHC that will provide a handicap accessible entrance, closer parking, a family waiting area, increased privacy for patients receiving treatment and the equipment necessary for additional treatment units.

“We are hoping to have the funds raised early in 2010 so we can move forward with the project,” Curtis said.

All gifts made to the KRHC Foundation are tax deductible and are included on the Foundation’s donor wall when your balance reaches $1,000.  Donations can be sent to the KRHC Foundation at 1515 Phillips Street, Algona, IA 50511.  For information about giving opportunities, please contact KRHC Foundation Director Nancy Grandgenett-Besch at 515-295-4582.