During their lives, Tom and Frances Leach poured their hearts into strengthening communities across central and western North Dakota. Today, their Foundation carries their spirit forward, ensuring their legacy of care continues to fuel growth and innovation across the area they loved.
Just over 20 years ago, a grant from the Tom & Frances Leach Foundation helped establish the Sanford Tom and Frances Leach Bismarck Dialysis Center, bringing lifesaving care to patients and families across central and western North Dakota. Today, the Foundation’s continued generosity is shaping the future of care for every patient who depends on it.
In 2024, another grant from the Tom & Frances Leach Foundation helped fund a major upgrade to the center’s water filtration system. This investment helps ensure patients continue receiving safe, reliable and high-quality care, now and into the future.
A Lifeline Close to Home
For people with kidney failure, dialysis performs essential work their kidneys can do longer do: filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. Most patients spend 3-5 hours per session, 3-5 days per week on dialysis, often for years, until a kidney transplant becomes possible. Having dependable, high-quality care close to home is critical.
The Sanford Tom and Frances Leach Dialysis Center, located at Sanford Seventh & Thayer Clinic in Bismarck, has become a trusted leader in kidney care. With 24 treatment stations, a skilled care team and a supportive environment, the center serves patients from across the region.
With the largest patient census in the Sanford footprint, the center plays a critical role in the health of the region. According to the most recent report, 226 patients depended on the dialysis center for care, receiving 16,267 life-saving treatments. Behind each treatment is a person who relies on consistent, dependable care made stronger through community support.
Why This Upgrade Matters
Water purification is at the heart of every dialysis treatment. Because dialysis brings water into direct contact with a patient’s blood, the filtration system must meet the highest standards for safety and purity.
Chelsey Ulmer, director of dialysis services for Sanford Bismarck, shared how this gift is making a meaningful difference for patients and staff alike.
“In order to do our life-sustaining treatment of dialysis, we must have a quality, reliable water filtration system,” said Chelsey. “Thanks to the Leach Foundation, we can rest assured we don’t need to worry about potential issues an aging system may cause. Patients also experience better care and treatment times. It’s just good for everybody.”
The new, programmable system requires less maintenance and features intelligent alarms that identify potential issues early — before they can become more serious. It also allows the team to extend appointment availability if needed, helping more patients receive the care they need.
For the patients who depend on regular treatment, these improvements mean more consistent treatment schedules, fewer disruptions and a smoother experience overall.
A Legacy of Giving
The Tom & Frances Leach Foundation has been part of the dialysis center’s story from the very beginning. Their continued generosity does more than upgrade equipment. It strengthens an entire system of care that hundreds of patients rely on each year.
Thanks to this legacy of giving, the Sanford Tom and Frances Leach Kidney Dialysis Center remains a place where patients and their families find hope and healing when they need it most.
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The Tom & Frances Leach Foundation cares deeply about the communities we serve, and the board knows Mr. and Mrs. Leach would be proud of the ongoing efforts to fulfill its mission statement.
Give for Good.
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