ALLISTON, ONTARIO - The Satellite Dialysis Unit at Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH), is once again the recipient of a generous pledge of financial support from the Nottawasaga Foundation.

Opened in 1996, the Dialysis Unit serves 26 patients and provides more than 300 treatments each month. With pre-arrangement, the Unit is also capable of providing treatments for dialysis clients who may be visiting the area.

The Nottawasaga Foundation and the Biffis and Lombardi families adopted the Dialysis Unit and since 2004, their donations have helped to purchase five machines and a state-of-the-art water treatment system for the Unit. The current pledge of $120,000 will be used to purchase among other things, two new dialysis machines, four new patient chairs and an ultrasound unit.

"We are very grateful that the Nottawasaga Foundation takes such a continuing and generous interest in the hospital," said David Sadleir, Fundraising Chair of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation. "Without their assistance, the hospital could not have provided the equipment that is needed in the Dialysis Unit," he said.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital has received well over $1 million raised through the Nottawasaga Foundation's annual fundraising golf tournament, dinner and auction, held each July. The funds have been used to purchase equipment in several departments, allowing the hospital to continue its service to the community.

"We thank the Nottawasaga Foundation for their consistent support of the hospital and for helping to keep the SMH Dialysis Unit operating at such an advanced level. Their pledge, along with other donations, will ensure that patients have continued access to this important regional service, right here in their own community hospital," said Gary Ryan, Interim President and CEO of Stevenson Memorial Hospital.

Photo shows Members of the Nottawasaga Foundation presenting a cheque to Marilyn Holmstrom, Chair of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation in the Dialysis Unit at SMH.

L - R - Don Hickson of the Nottawasaga Foundation; Marilyn Holmstrom, Chair, SMH Foundation; George McCague, Lou Biffis, Susan Biffis, Claire Albright, Nottawasaga Foundation; Gary Ryan, Interim President and CEO of SMH; Sylvia Biffis, Nottawasaga Foundation; Lorraine Johnston, NP, Manager of OPD, Cardiac Rehab and Dialysis; and Shirley McCarthy, RN.