Source: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III

Patients with kidney failure require treatment in order to remove waste from the blood and keep blood pressure under control, which is performed by a dialysis machine. But for those on dialysis in Newell County, Alberta, seeking treatment is no easy task. With no machine nearby, residents of Brooks and the surrounding area must travel long distances in order to receive this crucial care.

In this interview with Ellen Unruh, Brooks and District Health Foundation trustee and municipal elected official for the county of Newell, we dive into the issues surrounding medical care in rural Alberta and the campaign to bring dialysis to Brooks.

Q: As far as you know, what are some common health issues facing rural Alberta?

A: Diabetes is a common health problem.

Q: Could you describe the fundraiser you are working on and the cause-related to it?

A: We are fundraising to “make dialysis a reality in Brooks”. Currently, dialysis patients have to travel upwards of 3 hours one way, 3 times a week in order to seek treatment. The Alberta Provincial Government has agreed to add 2.5 million in additional funds when we reach our goal of 1.5 million. Our Health Foundation is in the process of fundraising. To date, $632,000 has been raised. The target is to raise $300,000 in each of the next 3 years. The most expensive part of the whole project is the equipment to purify the water. Alberta Health Services has agreed to fund the operational budget for the dialysis project in the Brooks Health Center. It is anticipated the project will start in 2020.

Q: How important to rural Albertan hospitals is having new and up-to-date medical equipment?

A: In our area, we have a visiting specialist from Medicine Hat and Calgary. In order for them to want to practice in a rural hospital, the equipment needs to be current.

Q: What are some ways people can help the fundraiser? Or a student of the University of Calgary can help the fundraiser?

A: Organizations currently donate full or partly proceeds of individual fundraising effort. In the last 2 years, the Health Foundation has put on several events, including: a fashion show with a live auction, and a wine tasting & food pairing event. The more publicity our cause receives, the better. The general public is getting very excited and are realizing the importance of having such an essential service in our community. Anytime we can keep this fundraiser in the media is crucial! We are very thankful for any willingness of UofC students to write about this project and keep it in the public eye. Social media and blogs, after all, reach a large audience. We love to keep the momentum going.

Q: Is there anything students can do to ensure the welfare of rural healthcare?

A: As a Rural County politician, we periodically host medical students at our local hospital to persuade them to consider starting a medical practice in rural Alberta.

Want to learn more about the Brooks Kidney Campaign? Visit their website here, call (403) 793-6663, or email brooks.foundation@ahs.ca.

Body image sources: County of Newell, BioNinja