Generosity Beyond a Lifetime
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We were deeply touched to receive a remarkable $200,000 estate donation earlier this year from an anonymous donor who included the Niagara Health Foundation in their Will, ensuring a lasting impact for Niagara patients.
“The donor asked to use $100,000 each towards urgent needs in Kidney Care, and Mental Health and Addictions at Niagara Health,” says Niagara Health Foundation President & CEO, Andrea Scott, who was thrilled to share the good news with the teams in both programs.
“We are so grateful for this incredibly generous donation,” says Laura Morrison, Director, Kidney Care and Ambulatory Programs.
Kidney disease affects thousands of individuals across the Niagara region. Niagara Health operates dialysis units in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland, along with a Renal Clinic and Home Dialysis Program that provide care throughout a patient’s journey.
“There are many reasons people need dialysis,” Laura explains. “Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. When kidneys fail they cannot perform these vital functions and dialysis may be required. In addition to removing waste, your kidneys also maintain healthy levels of electrolytes, control acid-base Generosity Beyond a Lifetime balance, maintain hormone levels and help make red blood cells.”
In 2024, Niagara Health supported over 5000 Renal Clinic visits and approximately 60,000 in hospital dialysis treatments. The Kidney Care Program supports 370 patients who receive dialysis treatments in a hospital setting along with an additional 65 patients who are dialyzing in their home.
“These patients are like family,” says Samantha Jack, Manager of Clinical Services. “They come in three times a week for four hours – we often see them more than their own families. It creates a close bond between staff and patients.”
Providing renal patients with the best care and most efficient dialysis they can is the team’s top priority.
“Thanks to this generous gift, we will be able to purchase three new ultrasound machines – one for each dialysis site,” says Laura Morrison.
Ultrasound machines are used in Kidney Care to visualize the vessels to support nurses with cannulation or accessing these vessels.
“The patient’s dialysis access is their lifeline,” explains Laura. “These ultrasounds are used daily and are vital in ensuring we are preserving their vascular access.”
“We’re extremely grateful for this support because Kidney Care is not often at the top of people’s minds. This equipment will allow us to continue providing the best possible care to the many families who rely on our services every day.”
Providing patients with the best care possible is also a priority for Lucy Batt, Director of Mental Health and Addictions.
“We offer services all across Niagara and throughout the continuum of care,” she explains. “We are here to support Emergency Department visits, inpatient admissions and outpatient services and programming, which can also extend to withdrawal management and residential treatment programs for addictions.”
Niagara Health’s Mental Health and Addictions team serves more than 20,000 patients annually.
“Receiving such a generous donation will have an incredible impact on patient care and comfort,” says Lucy. “Operational funding is always limited, so we heavily rely on donations for equipment needs, such as ECG machines and vital sign monitors, and for items that impact patient comfort.”
Thanks to this legacy gift, our Mental Health and Addictions team will be able to purchase state of-the-art clinical equipment, as well as comfort items such as new mattresses, pillows, and art that will brighten up spaces in the unit.
“We always try to create a home-like environment – a place where people can come to rehabilitate and recover, and studies have shown that patients can do that better in spaces that are bright and calming.”
“This donation allows us to create that environment for our patients and invest in therapeutic programs, which are so crucial, especially for patients who use our services over a significant period of time.”
Both departments are grateful for the impact this donation will have on the people they serve, and are humbled by the generosity and kindness of this Legacy Donor, who chose to include Kidney Care and Mental Health & Addictions in their estate plan.
By joining Niagara Health Foundation’s Legacy Society, you can choose which hospital or department will benefit from your gift.
“This donation will have a ripple effect for years to come,” says Andrea Scott. “To profoundly improve patient care here in Niagara is a beautiful thing to leave behind.”
Please let us know if you have included a legacy gift to Niagara Health Foundation in your estate plans.
Understanding your wishes and intentions is important for us to ensure they are fulfilled in the future, and we would like to welcome you as part of a group of exceptional donors in the Niagara Health Foundation Legacy Society.
Generosity Beyond a Lifetime
We were deeply touched to receive a remarkable $200,000 estate donation earlier this year from an anonymous donor who included the Niagara Health Foundation in their Will, ensuring a lasting impact for Niagara patients.
“The donor asked to use $100,000 each towards urgent needs in Kidney Care, and Mental Health and Addictions at Niagara Health,” says Niagara Health Foundation President & CEO, Andrea Scott, who was thrilled to share the good news with the teams in both programs.
“We are so grateful for this incredibly generous donation,” says Laura Morrison, Director, Kidney Care and Ambulatory Programs.
Kidney disease affects thousands of individuals across the Niagara region. Niagara Health operates dialysis units in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland, along with a Renal Clinic and Home Dialysis Program that provide care throughout a patient’s journey.
“There are many reasons people need dialysis,” Laura explains. “Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. When kidneys fail they cannot perform these vital functions and dialysis may be required. In addition to removing waste, your kidneys also maintain healthy levels of electrolytes, control acid-base Generosity Beyond a Lifetime balance, maintain hormone levels and help make red blood cells.”
In 2024, Niagara Health supported over 5000 Renal Clinic visits and approximately 60,000 in hospital dialysis treatments. The Kidney Care Program supports 370 patients who receive dialysis treatments in a hospital setting along with an additional 65 patients who are dialyzing in their home.
“These patients are like family,” says Samantha Jack, Manager of Clinical Services. “They come in three times a week for four hours – we often see them more than their own families. It creates a close bond between staff and patients.”
Providing renal patients with the best care and most efficient dialysis they can is the team’s top priority.
“Thanks to this generous gift, we will be able to purchase three new ultrasound machines – one for each dialysis site,” says Laura Morrison.
Ultrasound machines are used in Kidney Care to visualize the vessels to support nurses with cannulation or accessing these vessels.
“The patient’s dialysis access is their lifeline,” explains Laura. “These ultrasounds are used daily and are vital in ensuring we are preserving their vascular access.”
“We’re extremely grateful for this support because Kidney Care is not often at the top of people’s minds. This equipment will allow us to continue providing the best possible care to the many families who rely on our services every day.”
Providing patients with the best care possible is also a priority for Lucy Batt, Director of Mental Health and Addictions.
“We offer services all across Niagara and throughout the continuum of care,” she explains. “We are here to support Emergency Department visits, inpatient admissions and outpatient services and programming, which can also extend to withdrawal management and residential treatment programs for addictions.”
Niagara Health’s Mental Health and Addictions team serves more than 20,000 patients annually.
“Receiving such a generous donation will have an incredible impact on patient care and comfort,” says Lucy. “Operational funding is always limited, so we heavily rely on donations for equipment needs, such as ECG machines and vital sign monitors, and for items that impact patient comfort.”
Thanks to this legacy gift, our Mental Health and Addictions team will be able to purchase state of-the-art clinical equipment, as well as comfort items such as new mattresses, pillows, and art that will brighten up spaces in the unit.
“We always try to create a home-like environment – a place where people can come to rehabilitate and recover, and studies have shown that patients can do that better in spaces that are bright and calming.”
“This donation allows us to create that environment for our patients and invest in therapeutic programs, which are so crucial, especially for patients who use our services over a significant period of time.”
Both departments are grateful for the impact this donation will have on the people they serve, and are humbled by the generosity and kindness of this Legacy Donor, who chose to include Kidney Care and Mental Health & Addictions in their estate plan.
By joining Niagara Health Foundation’s Legacy Society, you can choose which hospital or department will benefit from your gift.
“This donation will have a ripple effect for years to come,” says Andrea Scott. “To profoundly improve patient care here in Niagara is a beautiful thing to leave behind.”
Please let us know if you have included a legacy gift to Niagara Health Foundation in your estate plans.
Understanding your wishes and intentions is important for us to ensure they are fulfilled in the future, and we would like to welcome you as part of a group of exceptional donors in the Niagara Health Foundation Legacy Society.
