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Fund-raising for life improving machines





Martin MacRae in Raigmore Hospital with a dialysis machine
Martin MacRae in Raigmore Hospital with a dialysis machine

A PATIENT is aiming to raise enough money to buy three new portable dialysis machines for Raigmore Hospital.

Martin MacRae (53), from Inverness, plans to generate the £50,000 for the renal unit when he travels from Fort William to Inverness by canoe.

He will start the six-day journey on 30th August and hopes his efforts will help raise awareness of kidney disease and dialysis.

"We could do it in less than six days but I will need to stop, and while the rest are setting up camp, be needled and connected to a portable dialysis machine powered by a portable generator," explained Mr MacRae, who has been on haemodialysis for the last year — attending hospital three times a week for four-hour sessions on a dialysis machine, which keeps him alive.

"This will need to happen for three hours each day and will involve me sitting very still due to the needles in my arm, which I think will prove a challenge with the infamous Scottish midges!"

The portable machines he wants to buy make it easier for a patient to receive dialysis at home.

"Dialysis from home can be done six days a week for shorter periods of time so many patients do find it more appealing and it has been shown to be a much more natural form of treatment giving significant long term health benefits," he added.

Mr MacRae will be joined by seven friends on this challenge. A total of four canoes will be used with two people in each.

Dialysis equipment has been loaned to him for use during the task.

"Thankfully MacRae and Dick in Inverness have helped out by supplying a 4x4 to assist in transporting the dialysis equipment between camp sites daily," he added.

Dr Stewart Lambie, Renal Consultant for NHS Highland, is incredibly grateful for this generous gesture and wishes Mr MacRae and his companions all the best for their trip.

"What they are setting out to do is an amazing challenge and I really do wish them all luck," he said.

"A portable dialysis machine can be life changing for a patient. It allows them to get their treatment at home instead of coming into hospital, is less intrusive and with more frequent shorter sessions they feel better and are likely to live longer."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr MacRae should visit: www.justgiving.com/Martin-MacRae


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