Renal Unit Expansion Fully Funded
Through Community Generosity
Paul and Annette Lalonde, and their family’s generosity can be seen throughout our community and especially at our hospital. Paul and Annette are owners of The Brick North Bay.
“Our hospital has always been important to our family,” say Paul. “It is why we have donated and sponsored many projects and events over the years. Now, it is my lifeline.”
While vacationing with Annette in Florida in 2018, Paul came down with a serious infection that resulted in sepsis. It attacked his major organs causing renal failure and a massive heart attack among other complications. After 22 days in ICU, they returned home to North Bay. Paul’s health was still extremely fragile.
“Once home, I immediately started renal replacement therapy (dialysis) at North Bay Regional Health Centre. I was placed on the transplant list for a kidney and pancreas. While I waited, I received dialysis three times a week. I am so grateful this service is available in our community.”
It wasn’t long before they received the call they had been waiting for – they had a kidney and pancreas for Paul. Annette and Paul travelled to Toronto. Only 45 minutes before surgery, it was cancelled – one of the organs wasn’t viable. It was devastating news. They returned to North Bay to await the next call.
Two more times they received a call, and two more times the transplants were cancelled.
After further health complications in 2019 and 2020, the only option remaining was to find a living donor for a kidney transplant.
“I am so grateful for both of my stepdaughters, Jenna and Michelle, who stepped forward as potential donors,” says Paul. “After some intensive screening Jenna was identified as a match.
While Paul waits for his surgery, he continues to receive life-saving renal dialysis three times a week at NBRHC. He will continue to be monitored and cared for by the staff in the Renal Unit for some time after his transplant.
Renal Dialysis is a busy program, currently operating at 100% capacity and the demand is expected to grow by 24% during the next ten years. Last year, more than 9,200 treatments were provided at NBRHC.
To meet the increasing demand, our Health Centre is adding three addition dialysis stations and planning an expansion of the Renal Unit so they can continue to provide the best care locally.
In the Fall of 2021, Paul authored a letter to our community raising funds for the Renal Unit Expansion Project. The Lalonde Family and The Brick North Bay challenged our community to match their $25,000 donation. The letter was mailed to 5,790 households and raised $95,582.
The Renal Unit expansion costs $400,000 and we are thrilled to share that this expansion has been fully funded through generous community donations.
~ Paul Lalonde ~