History of VKA

Before 1971, Vermont had no chronic dialysis or kidney transplant program. Vermonters with chronic kidney disease had to go out of state to receive the treatment they required to stay alive.

VKA Early Pioneers 1971:

• Barre businessmen and early founders/supporters:

  • Frank LoSasso, Ernie Belleville,

  • Winona Johnson- Barre Altrusa Club and early founder

• Steering Committee

  • Janet Chadwick, Frank LoSasso, Mike Aylward (VT coordinator of IOB), Robert Eaton, Steve Addams, Carl Runge

• Advocacy with the Vermont State Legislature Vocational Rehabilitation Division resulted in a federal grant of $70,840 representing Federal-State matching funds and a direct appropriation of $55,144 from VT State Legislature.

• These funds were used to develop a Kidney Treatment Center in Burlington which included dialysis (in-hospital dialysis and home dialysis training unit) and transplant program.