The goal for the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation is to build a Kidney Health and Education Centre at the hospital, make sure there are supports for those with and at risk of kidney disease, through prevention and through disease management. The By Your Side campaign to raise $10 million was launched today (Thurs).

The majority of the funds, at $8 million, will go to building a Kidney care centre. CEO of the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Lecina Hicke, says the campaign addresses awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and quality of life.

Another part of the plan is Holistic Care Services at the hospital, including an Indigenous Healing Centre and a Pilot Patient Porter System to transport patients to and from the hospital, if transportation is an issue for them.

A third project in cooperation with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation, is the delivery of early screening programs because kidney disease is disproportionately high in Indigenous communities. because kidney disease is disproportionately high in Indigenous communities.

Hicke notes that in Saskatchewan, one in ten people are estimated to be living with Chronic Kidney Disease. Krystal Sander, Interim Director for Kidney Health, Saskatoon & North with the Saskatchewan Health Authority says, “In the last decade alone, our community has experienced a 50% increase in patients who require life-saving dialysis. It is a challenge to provide a vital life-saving service to this growing population requiring kidney care.”

So far, the Foundation has raised $5.5 million in the By Your Side Kidney Care Campaign and Hicke thanks the late Anne Kearnan (keer nun), who donated $1.16 million through her Estate. She was a kidney patient at St. Paul’s Hospital.