Monday, 23 January 2012
Take one holiday company and two doting grandchildren and this unlikely team have helped raise £840 for the Renal Self Care Unit at Morriston Hospital.
Pauline Dalton, from Gendros, suffers from chronic kidney disease, and needs life saving dialysis treatment. Previously she had treatment three times a week in hospital. But now, thanks to a new programme at Morriston Hospital’s renal unit, she has been trained in nocturnal haemodialysis.
Nocturnal haemodialysis training teaches patients how to connect themselves to their dialysis machine at home before going to bed at night, and disconnect themselves the following morning. The main benefit is that long hours normally spent on dialysis treatment during the day instead happens when they are fast asleep – so there is no disruption to their daily lives.
“Staff at the renal unit have become like my extended family, said Pauline. “I can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication. I feel great, nocturnal haemodialysis has given me my life back and I am so very grateful.
Picture below front row l-r: Jack Hughes, Pauline Dalton, Ellie Hughes, Clinical Leader for Self Care and Nocturnal Education - Gail Williams, Consultant RajShrivastava. Back row l-r: Staff nurse Claire Licence, Karen Hughes and Gerard Dalton.
"The first donation was a big surprise, my daughter Karen Hughes works for Thompsons Cruise Deals and they have been very supportive to Karen, giving her time off to attend the hospital with me when I was very ill. Once a year they hold a charity evening and last year they supported the renal unit. The evening was a huge success and raised £380. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended the evening; the money will be put to good use.
Picture below l-r: Jack Hughes, Pauline Dalton, Consultant Raj Shrivastava, Karen Hughes and Ellie Hughes.
“The second donation was an even bigger surprise. My wonderful grandchildren, 13 year old Ellie and 11 years old Jack, decided to take part in the Cardiff 5k run and collected sponsorship money from neighbours, friends and family. I am so proud of them they raised £460 for the self care unit.”
Proud mum of Ellie and Jack, Karen Hughes added: “We want the money to support nocturnal dialysis as a thank you to Gail Williams and her team for the support they have given to my mum. They go beyond the call of duty.”
Clinical Leader for Self Care and Nocturnal Education, Gail Williams said: “It’s been such a joy to see Pauline looking and feeling well, her health has greatly improved. She is carrying out her nocturnal treatment at home; allowing her days to be free to enjoy life with her family and friends”.
Consultant Raj Shrivastava added: “Thank you so much for the kind donation, it’s excellent that the children have taken part in this. We will put the money to good use.”