Community Raises $8,000 to Support Dialysis Care at Adirondack Health

Community Raises $8,000 to Support Dialysis Care at Adirondack Health

In a moving tribute to resilience and community spirit, more than 150 area residents gathered at the Bloomingdale Fire Station on Saturday, June 21, for a lasagna dinner that raised $8,000 in support of Adirondack Health’s Dialysis Unit—the only treatment center serving patients within a 50-mile radius.

The event was organized by community members and led by Vanessa Columbe, Patient Access Liaison at Adirondack Health, who was inspired to act after learning about the ongoing needs of dialysis patients.

“I knew I needed to do something,” said Columbe. “The Dialysis Unit means so much to families in our region. I always like helping—it just felt natural.”

Photo caption: Nurses from Adirondack Health’s Dialysis Unit gather beside one of the dialysis machines—now nearing the end of its service life. From left to right: Jackson Clement, Christina Hayden, Kim Miller, Matthew Pittman.

Dialysis patients typically require treatment three times a week, with each session lasting three to four hours. Adirondack Health’s unit currently operates with nine machines, many of which are nearing the end of their serviceable lives. The funds raised will go directly toward the purchase of a new dialysis machine.

“This donation helps us continue delivering vital care to patients across our region,” said Christina Hayden, Supervisor of the Dialysis Unit at Adirondack Health. “Our patients truly become like family to us, and knowing the community stands behind them means so much.”

The evening was made possible through the generosity of volunteers from the Bloomingdale Auxiliary and the lively entertainment of Frankie and the Moonlighters, who donated their time and talents to the cause.

“Grassroots events like this are the heart of philanthropy,” said Jen Balog, Executive Director of the Adirondack Health Foundation. “They show how deeply healthcare is woven into the fabric of our community. This event didn’t just raise funds—it raised awareness and united neighbors in support of a vital service. In rural regions like the Adirondacks, every act of generosity creates a lasting impact.”

To learn more about the Dialysis Unit at Adirondack Health, visit adirondackhealth.org/services-conditions/dialysis. To support local healthcare initiatives, please visit our annual giving page.