Christmas cheer from Thunder Bay dietitians for dialysis patients

A group of dietitians at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre will spread some Christmas cheer Tuesday, by distributing nearly 250 holiday hampers to people undergoing dialysis in Sioux Lookout, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The kidney patients will receive the ingredients to prepare a dinner, dessert and breakfast and include a roast, the fixings for apple bread pudding, and cornmeal and cream cheese to create a dish which mimics creamy mashed potatoes, said Marissa Tamasi, a dietitian and one of the organizers.

The hampers also include recipes to help show people the versatility of the items they've received.

"A lot of people struggle with what they can eat because they know there are a lot of foods they can't eat and they're left wondering so I think it's important that not only are we giving them items they might not be familiar with, but we're showing them what they can do to make tasty meals." 

The hampers are also a way to give something special to people who often have to make many sacrifices because of their disease.

"For some people who relocated to Thunder Bay to receive dialysis, it's a difficult time of year, sometimes the rest of their family is still in their community," Tamasi said, "as well, I think it's just to say 'we understand the challenges over the time of year' and it's just a gift to them."

CBC Thunder Bay is accepting donations of non-perishable food items until Friday, as a continuation of our Sounds of the Season campaign.