Bombeck Dialysis Center gives ailing infant a chance1 comment by Connie Cone Sexton - Apr. 30, 2010 02:00 PM
The Arizona Republic
There was a chance that her baby was going to die. Kendra Ghering had been warned before she gave birth that her son, Dominic Gangone, had enlarged kidneys. And when he was born 11 months ago, her fears were realized. Dominic had kidney failure. "He needed dialysis," she said.
After being discharged from the hospital, Dominic's health worsened. Eventually, Ghering switched hospitals, landing at Phoenix Children's Hospital's Bombeck Dialysis Center. "It meant life or death to us," she said. "He had become so dehydrated, they knew what to do."
Today, Dominic is on peritoneal dialysis every night for 11 hours. "He can sit up and say, 'Mama and Dada,'" Ghering said. "That center changed so much for our family. Now, he's at 16 pounds."
On April 26, Dominic was part of the five-year celebration of the dialysis center, which is in the Rosenburg Medical Plaza on the hospital's main campus, 1919 E. Thomas Road.
It is Arizona's only pediatric kidney dialysis center.
The Bombeck family was introduced to the need for a full-fledged dialysis center dedicated exclusively for children when Bill Bombeck - husband of the late humorist Erma - toured the original Phoenix Children's Hospital at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
The Bombecks decided to donate $831,000 to underwrite a pediatric hemodialysis unit at the new state-of-the-art facility at Phoenix Children's. The center is a part of the Department of Nephrology, which operates as the state's only pediatric kidney transplant program.
Dominic isn't on the waiting list yet, he needs to grow a bit, his mother said.
Friends of Encanto fundraiser
There's a good chance either you, your family or friends have spent some time at Encanto Park, considered by many as a Phoenix treasure.
Since 2005, members of the Friends of Encanto Park have been working to ensure the park holds its glory.
The group is raising money to help beautify the park.
The Friends group is planning a May Day fundraiser for the park from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at a private home near Seventh Avenue and Encanto Boulevard. They will hold a cocktail party, silent auction and raffle.
The suggested donation is $50 per person.
Let them know you're coming by calling Stephanie at 602-257-5230 or send an e-mail to squincy@steptoe.com.
Speaking of Encanto, I'm working on a story about the history of the park. Please email me your favorite memories of the park, including any old photos you have of times you spent there. Send them by May 12 to connie.sexton@arizonarepublic.com or call me at 602-444-6843.
Read more:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/04/30/20100430phoenix-bombeck-dialysis-center.html#ixzz0nbBA0e9Y
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