NECA, IBEW 440, 477 Donate Gift Cards, Entertainment to Young Kidney Patients at Loma Linda
Children receiving dialysis treatments at Loma Linda University Medical Center are having happier Christmases, thanks to the generosity of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
For the past six years, NECA/IBEW has helped children suffering from kidney disease, donating gift cards and buying items that will help entertain them while they receive dialysis.
This year, NECA/IBEW bought the Pediatric Hemodialysis Unit four DVD players, two complete Wii systems, 17 new movies and eight new games for the game cube system. Children also received Target gift cards.
IBEW Local 440 Riverside County and IBEW Local 477 San Bernardino each donated $1,000 and the Southern Sierras Chapter National Electrical Contractor Association also donated $1,000.
The effort began through IBEW Local 440 member Sean Hicks, who had extra Christmas money one year. Hicks approached Loma Linda and was directed to the Hemodialysis Unit. The following year, he got both locals involved in helping raise money. When Hicks died, the locals continued the effort.
“We got involved because of Sean and we do it in his honor,” said Peggy Long, member development for IBEW Local 477. “But it means a lot to all of us to be able to help these kids because they don’t have a lot. Just to let them enjoy their time by playing games or watching movies that we purchased really warms our hearts.”
Children who do their dialysis at home and who are treated through the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic also receive gift cards. The gift cards mean so much to the children, the majority of whom come from families who subsist at poverty levels, staff members say.
Children and their parents are thrilled with the gift cards, often using them for basic necessities.
Last year, a 13-year-old patient named Isabel used her gift card to buy a pair of shoes for her younger sister, a toy for her brother, a pair of pants for herself and popcorn and drinks for the whole family.
Another boy bought card and board games to play with his siblings while he receives his nightly peritoneal dialysis treatments. The parents of a 3-month-old patient bought diapers, skin cleansing wipes and a toy.
Patients, staff members and families alike appreciate what NECA/IBEW does.
“They write us thank you cards and the parents are so grateful,” Long said.
-Lisa Oneill Hill
