For those living in remote northern Saskatchewan, even trips to the grocery store can be a few and far between.
Now, imagine living there while receiving the life altering diagnosis of kidney disease. The nearest dialysis centre is at least 2.5 hours away in Meadow Lake, and Saskatoon is roughly a 5-hour drive away.
To bridge the gap in kidney care in northern Saskatchewan communities, St. Paul’s Hospital is working to expand care to all Saskatchewan residence with its latest campaign.
CEO of St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Lecina Hicke explains that in 2024, the hospital launched the $10 million By Your Side Kidney Care Campaign. Not even one year later, over 70 per cent of the goal has already been raised.
The most recent donation to the cause came this morning as a $225,000 gift from TD Bank.
TD Spokesperson Mick Ramos says supporting this cause hits home for him, as he has battled kidney disease for the last 15 years.
“I’m lucky that, where I am, I have easy access to care. Programs like this remind us that that’s not the case for everybody, and it’s very important that we all have equal access to lifesaving care.”
With the funds raised, an Early Screening pilot program is already underway, with St. Paul’s staff travelling to Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Yellow Quill First Nation, and Kinistin Saulteaux Nation in an effort to detect kidney disease before it progresses.
Hicke says the cost of the pilot project is minimal compared to how much it costs to support someone on dialysis.
“St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation has committed to $1 million for five years and three communities…The cost of supporting an individual on dialysis for one year is approximately $100,000, and that cost reoccurres year over year as they’re on dialysis.”
The pilot program will operate for five years, but Hicke says there are plans to expand to additional communities in the future. Hicke says the remainer of the funds raised will go towards a new Kidney Health Education Centre and a transition program to better position patients to navigate the tough diagnoses of kidney failure.
