Published Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Support for Tbaytel Tamarack House is Paid Forward to Regional Patients
Rena Madden from the Rotary Club of Dryden (centre) presenting the club’s $7,500 donation to Tbaytel Tamarack House to the Health Sciences Foundation’s Senior Director of Philanthropy, Terri Hrkac (left) and President & CEO, Glenn Craig (right).
One of the big winners of the Rotary Club of Dryden’s Radio Bingo is Tbaytel Tamarack House. The club recently donated $7,500 of its bingo proceeds to this “home away from home” for regional cancer patients who are in Thunder Bay for radiation treatments.
Radiation treatments are given to patients almost daily for weeks. Unfortunately, when regional patients and families require medical treatment for more than five consecutive days away from home, the Northern Health Travel Grant falls short. That’s why Tbaytel Tamarack House exists, to be a true haven in every way – physically, emotionally, and financially.
The Rotary Club of Dryden’s Charity Foundation Bingo has been running for around 15 years. It runs weekly on the local radio station each year between October and April.
“Our Rotary Radio Bingo is supported by vendors and participants from Dryden and a number of neighbouring communities like Red Lake, Ignace, Sioux Lookout and others,” says Rena Madden, long time Rotary member. “So the proceeds are disbursed beyond Dryden to area food banks and other needs for these communities.”
One year a Rotary member’s spouse had to stay at Tbaytel Tamarack House. They appreciated it so much, with its private rooms, large shared kitchen, lounge, laundry and 24 hour on-site attendant, he recommended a portion of the bingo’s proceeds be donated to the facility.
“He said the donation would have a huge impact given that so many people from our area and the region use the facility,” says Madden. “Personally, I ended up having to stay there – and when I did my thoughts were ‘Okay, now I get it’. There’s a good reason our donations to Tbaytel Tamarack House stuck ever since.”
Since 2007, the Rotary Club of Dryden has donated a total of $68,500 to Tbaytel Tamarack House and an additional $10,000 to regional cancer care.
Ongoing financial support is essential to ensure Tbaytel Tamarack House is available for regional patients. If you can give, or have a fundraising idea, please contact the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation @ 807-345-4673, email info@healthsciencesfoundation.ca or visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/tamarack