There isn't a kidney dialysis unit in Bonavista, so anyone seeking that treatment from the area must travel to Clarenville, sometimes a few times each week, for the vital procedure.

On April 12, between 7 and 10 pm, you can phone in a donation to help alleviate that problem by dialing toll free 1-877-468-3111.

Local callers can dial 468-2300 to make a donation.

Residents from the area have been fundraising to help institute a kidney dialysis unit in the area for months and have so far raised a heft $20,000. However, they’re less than halfway to their intended $50,000.

Juanita Clench will be working the phones at the Lion's Club in Bonavista that evening and encourages everybody to consider opening their wallets to help make a difference in the lives of so many people with kidney-related problems.

"If we got $15,000 we would be pleased. This is our first telethon, but we know they've been successful in the past," she said.

The cause is personal for Clench, whose mother is on dialysis and has to travel to Clarenville three times a week. She said she doesn't expect any significant dollars to come from the province in the coming provincial budget, but said if they can keep working toward their goal, they feel light will be at the end of the tunnel.

"We're certainly hoping for a dialysis unit in Bonavista, but we're not expecting it in the announcement from this budget, but we're hopeful sometime between this budget an the next budget (there will be a favorable decision).”

Anyone hoping to make a donation beyond the telethon can contact any member of the Bonavista Lion's Club or touch base with any committee member working with the telethon.

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