On Air for Healthcare Radiothon returns May 8 with support for dialysis patients

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The radiothon will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. across 93.3 Beach Radio, Q98 and CJNB/CJNS, with live broadcasts from the hospital lobby. It provides a chance for listeners to connect with stories from doctors, nurses and patients in real time.

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The event, organized by Pattison Media, raised more than $281,000 last year for new diagnostic equipment aimed at speeding up lab results and improving treatment for conditions such as sepsis.

Ahmed, a nephrologist who treats kidney disease patients across northern Saskatchewan, said dialysis is crucial when a patient’s organs fail.

“So when kidneys have failed, it’s a way, dialysis is essentially a way of trying to mimic what a kidney would do,” she said. “So it’s essentially an artificial kidney and patients go there for treatment.”

For patients receiving hemodialysis, treatment is physically demanding and time-consuming.

Blood is removed through a surgically created fistula or intravenous line, filtered through a machine that removes excess fluid and waste, and then returned to the body. That procedure typically lasts for four hours. Most patients undergo dialysis at least three times a week.

“We have to remember that it’s nowhere near, it doesn’t do anything near what the kidneys do because the kidneys are obviously working 24/7,” she said, adding that many patients live cautiously between appointments while waiting for their next treatment.

Across Saskatoon, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Meadow Lake, La Ronge, Flin Flon and Tisdale, she said there are about 510 patients currently receiving dialysis.

“And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down,” Ahmed said of growing demand.

She said diabetes remains the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease.

“Diabetes is essentially an epidemic,” she said. “And I mean, of course, with that comes the possibility of kidney failure.”

Funds raised during Friday’s radiothon will go toward improving comfort for dialysis patients, who often spend hours sitting mostly motionless during treatment.

Donations can be made by phone at 306-446-6652 during the event, in person or through the Battlefords Healthcare Foundation website.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com