Councillors here are allowing a reduced rate for a fundraiser being held next month.
The event is set for Jan. 29 at the Puslinch Community Centre and is meant to raise funds for a pair of children’s dialysis machines for the McMasters Children’s Hospital in Hamilton.
Making the request on Dec. 16 were Rochelle Barber and Lee-Ann Prickett regarding request to waive fees for a fundraising event to be held at the Puslinch Community Centre on Friday, Jan. 29.
The Fun Casino Night involves no money being exchanged through gambling but rather prizes being awarded for top scores.
The Pricketts tale began four years ago when Addison went to the Guelph General Hospital to get his appendix removed, something went wrong and he ended up with a full kidney failure.
“He was transferred to McMaster Children’s Hospital. He almost died several times.”
For Lee-Ann the fact Addison made it to McMaster was the first of many miracles.
She said, “The Nephrology doctors said he didn’t have a living cell in his kidneys and yet a miracle happened. Not only did Addison live, but his kidneys started to function.”
Addison was in Sick Kids for over a month.
She said, “As we were leaving, I was trying to think of a way to thank these wonderful people who gave amazing care to my 10-year-old son. What do you get them: chocolates, flowers, a diamond ring? Nothing seemed right. So I asked Addison what he thought we should get them. He responded, (still very weak and still has tubes coming out of him), “They need new dialysis machines. Could we get them that? My friends deserve the best.” Wow! How could I say no?”
Lee-Ann said these efforts have had the blessing of donors such as the Puslinch Optimist Club, and a group of young men who held a charity golf tournament. As a result of those efforts “they helped us raise $12,000.” Barber said.
In total they’ve raised $14,000 so far.’
“We are looking to raise about $60,000. Every penny raised will go directly to McMaster for new dialysis machines for children.
She noted that the hospital serves roughly 150,000 children in the region – and about 6,000 children are seen in the Nephrology unit – which deals with all issues related to the kidney
“Some need the machines, some don’t.” Lee-Ann said.
“But this machine only does 10% of what the kidney normally does, which can cause issues such as high blood pressure, heart failure, failure of the remaining kidney or blindness.”
Barber pointed out the current treatments make use of a dialysis machine designed for adults.
“We are raising fund for machines designed specifically for children.”
Depending on the child, dialysis is needed three to four times each week, with each session lasting three to four hours.
Lee-Ann added that recently, Addison’s nurse contacted her with information that Addison may have a heart condition as well now.
Now efforts are being made to get him a transplant.
“However if his heart is strong enough, he will not be able to get a transplant and that means dialysis in the future. The average person only survives on dialysis for 5 years if no match is found,” Lee-Ann said.
Until her experience with Addison, Lee-Ann never realized that while the government pays for hospital buildings and reconstruction, but the hospitals have to raise the money for equipment such as dialysis machines.
“I was shocked to find that out.”
Lever asked if Lee-Ann was aware of another campaign now underway for the entire Nephrology Unit.
He wondered if consideration was given to joining that effort.
Lee-Ann said the aims of the campaigns are slightly different.
“For me it is all about providing these machines.”
In Lee-Ann’s opinion, the other campaign is about making the children as comfortable as possible while they are they.
She agreed that right now the treatment areas operates in a ‘closet size’ space with a television and video game.
Lever noted that while yet policy, there has been a report by staff regarding access to facilities for fundraising.
That report, Lever said, recommended that waiving fees not be allowed.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer suggested council consider a 60% fee instead of the full amount- as has been done in the past.
Bulmer did agree this was prime time for hall rentals.
The motion carried quickly.
It was clarified the move allowed a 40% reduction of the rental fee which meant organizers would pay 60% of the full amount.
