Honouring a legacy gift to support dialysis patients
- 2 min read
At the Monash Health Foundation, we are proud to support our community in making meaningful change to causes closest to their hearts.
Earlier this year, we received a generous bequest from the late Denis Ralph, a former patient of our Nephrology Department, who knew firsthand the importance of care for chronic kidney disease patients.
Nine years ago, Denis received a kidney transplant after many years of dialysis. His family says that the care he received at Monash Health enabled him to enjoy many more years with the people he loved.
Denis’s gratitude inspired him to give back to support the Monash Health Nephrology Department – both during his lifetime and through his Will.
His gift has funded two new ultrasound machines – one at Monash Medical Centre and the other at the Victorian Heart Hospital. Both are helping to improve the comfort and care of dialysis patients by assisting our nursing teams to insert needles and lines with greater accuracy, making the process less painful for patients and safer for care teams.
For people who require dialysis multiple times each week, the improved precision the machines provide can make an enormous difference to their quality of life.
Recently, Denis’ partner Danny, along with his daughters Jacqui and Nicki, visited Ward 34 at Monash Medical Centre with Professor John Kanellis, Director of Nephrology at Monash Health. The family saw the new equipment in action and heard from our care teams about the difference it is already making. A plaque acknowledging Denis’ generosity accompanies each ultrasound machine, ensuring his meaningful contribution continues to be remembered by employees, patients and families.
We are deeply grateful to Denis and his family for this extraordinary legacy – one that will help countless patients receive the very best care for many years to come.
Did you know that more than half of Australians don’t have a will?
Having a will is one of the most important ways to protect your loved ones and ensure your values live on for generations to come.
This week, as part of ‘Include a Charity Week’ (1-7 September), our online will-writing partners Gathered Here, Willed and Safewill are offering access to write your will for free, to help you take this important step and ensure your wishes are honoured.
Visit our Monash Health Foundation website page for more information.
