Picnic Brings Dialysis Patients Together

[okarol]

Picnic Brings Dialysis Patients Together

Posted: Aug 10, 2008 03:33 PM

Updated: Aug 10, 2008 06:33 PM EDT

Around 90 dialysis patients from the University of Virginia's Augusta Dialysis Center gathered for a picnic at Staunton’s Gypsy Hill Park Sunday.

Dialysis, a treatment for people with kidney failure, can be a draining, uncomfortable experience, with patients turning to their support systems to get through treatment.

Sunday's event allowed the group of patients to  take their minds off the grueling therapy and to get to know each other. That's why one patient decided to raise more than $1,000 for the picnic.

Doug Dunbrack spends every other day at the center cleaning his blood. It’s been his home away from home for the past four years. Dunbrack’s exhausting treatment leaves him literally feeling drained, but it's also what prompted him to host the picnic in the park—to revive spirits.

"Some of the patients don't get to really do anything, and this is a chance for us to get together," he said.

Dunbrack invited all 90 dialysis patients to the picnic, plus their families and the nurses that take care of them. The patients have all spent time in the same hospital room, but many haven't met.

As they finally came together it was clear the picnic served it's purpose. “It's a feeling you can't describe, and most of all I'd like to thank God," said Michael Gray, a dialysis patient.

Dunbrack is the UVA Augusta Dialysis Center's "Patient of the Year." He hopes to make the picnic an annual event.

Reported by Christina Mora
WATCH VIDEO http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=8818385&nav=menu496_2_3

[bolta72]

What a great thing to do, especially for those that are alone.

[paris]

Nice story.  I think someone needs to write an article on IHD and our meet-ups; both large and small ones.