Patient Story Two

Dialyzing and Volunteering!

Story One • Story Two

Frank Jones is a dialysis patient at the Northwest Kidney Centers' Lake City Kidney Center.Before receiving treatment at LCKC, Frank dialyzed at Scribner Kidney Center for five years.  He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease ten years before he started dialysis. Frank volunteered to be the “demo dialysis patient” during two open house events at two NKC centers. During those events, he chatted with visitors, explained dialysis, and answered questions (all while dialyzing!). 

Frank is best known for his gardening skills. He says that he has been professionally involved in this field for nearly 40 years. Frank doesn’t waste anything. He will plant flowers that are given to LCKC by patients and family members. He also urges his neighbors and friends to donate their plants and flowers to NKC. These donations include: New Zealand flax, Easter lilies, hydrangeas, roses, irises, daisies, foxglove, daffodils and tulips. Not only does he work in the gardens outside LCKC and Blagg Pavilion, but he also makes bouquets for the dialysis unit, and gathers special things like pine boughs for holiday decorations.

Frank donates 12 to15 hours of volunteer work every month, and sometimes more. He often volunteers before or after his treatment, and sometimes works late at night or early in the morning. His labor increases in the summer, but he gardens in all four seasons. He tends several small and large beds: watering, weeding, planting and removing debris. His hard work has resulted in a beautiful setting that welcomes patients and staff as they arrive for treatment and work. The next time you see Frank Jones, please say “hello” and thank him for volunteering his many personal gifts!