Newmarket resident Tammy Wamboldt reflected on her health journey as she expressed gratitude to the Newmarket Lions Club for donating $200,000 to Camp Dorset.
Wambolt receives dialysis treatment three times a week for three-and-a-half hours.
“It was devastating because I had no clue about dialysis and did not know what it involved,” said Wamboldt of her diagnosis of kidney failure nine years ago. “I’m looking for a kidney transplant.”
Dialysis treatment filters waste and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys can’t function properly. It is not a cure but enables individuals to live longer and feel better.
"You can’t go travelling for more than two days,” said Wambolt. “I miss out on a lot of family plans."
The lions presented the cheque to staff of Camp Dorset at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall on Sept. 16. The funds will allow more families to vacation together.
“There’s a real sense of satisfaction of knowing we turned around and raised $200,000 and do it for a worthy cause,” said Kirby Brock of the Newmarket Lions Club.
Located in Dorset in Haliburton County, the lakeside camp offers cabins, efficiencies and campsites at low cost, where people requiring dialysis can receive it on the property with 12 hemodialysis stations available. The camp also has an indoor pool, kitchen, meeting halls, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and walking trails. About 20 people can receive treatment per day.
Brock said the Lions Clubs are kindred spirits working to not only fundraise for Camp Dorset, but for the other programs like the Santa Fund and Coats for Kids and Adults.
Wambolt has attended the camp with her family for three years, for one week each time.
Tammy is supported by her husband, Mike, who said he finds it hard to exclude her from activities with the family.
“There’s sometimes things we have to go through without Tammy being involved because she is busy with dialysis or is more or less recovering from her dialysis session,” said Tunney.
He said there are tough days but treatment is essential. He remembers feeling shocked when he heard of his wife's diagnosis but appreciates there is treatment available.
“It was shocking but in a way of a relief that dialysis is an option to live a longer and healthier life,” said Tunney.
Wambolt heard about the camp while receiving dialysis treatment at Oak Ridges Medical Centre in Richmond Hill.
For more information about Camp Dorset, check out their website online.
