Corrine Mashford was only 13 years old when she was diagnosed with Lupus. In August 2007, she was placed on renal dialysis in Vancouver and, because of her pre-existing condition, was forced to stay on the mainland to seek treatment. Eventually, Mashford was transferred to Victoria in order to be closer to her family in Nanaimo. In September, she was able to come home thanks to the new in-hospital renal dialysis unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Her mother, Florence Mashford, works at Coastal Community Credit Union and motivated by her daughter’s dialysis needs, she and 12 colleagues organized a series of fundraisers to benefit the new unit. Through a Mad Hatter tea, jeans week, and holiday tinned cookie sale, they raised more than $2,800. The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation has committed to raising $540,000 for dialysis equipment, including the purchase of 12 haemodialysis machines. While the unit opened in September, the foundation continues to raise funds to finish paying for the purchase of these machines. To help the foundation, please call 250-755-7690 or donate securely online at www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.