The new Boone Dialysis Center in Danville recently held a grand opening celebration where area residents could meet with the staff at the dialysis unit.

One area man was particularly happy to celebrate the center’s opening.

Fred Runyon says it was in large part the persistence of his former wife, Caroyl Runyon, that Boone County has the new dialysis center.

“She pestered everyone she could think of, even Tommy Mullins at Boone Memorial Hospital, to get that dialysis center here,” he said.

Runyon shared that even after his wife returned home from having her legs amputated, she still worked hard on the project.

“She would be on the phone day and night calling people about the center,” he shared.

A photograph of Caroyl Runyon hangs on one of the walls at the newly constructed 7300-square foot building.

Organizers of the day’s grand opening held a special commemorative ceremony, dedicating the building in her honor.

Those in attendance included family member Mary Griffith and Fred Runyon’s new wife, Vivian Runyon.

“We were married in October,” he said, further sharing that he met Vivian at dialysis. According to Fred, Vivian’s husband was also going through dialysis and the two couples became friends. After their spouses died, they continued to be friends and a romance eventually blossomed.

Still, neither will forget their former spouses, according to Fred Runyon. “I had her, Caroyl for 54 years,” he said.

From Caroyl’s determination, Boone County now has a dialysis center that will help other people on dialysis.

The facility employees 11 people on-site. Dolly Hager, secretary, will be the first face you meet as you enter the dialysis center. Other workers include Denise Boudreau, social worker; April Mitchell, dietitian; Rick Aguillon, senior equipment technician; Tammy Spencer, nurse manager; Teddi Craddock, RN; Amanda Messer, RN; Rachel Loftus, RN; Mike Dangerfield, patient care tech; Carl McCallister, patient care tech; and Billie Jenkins, patient care tech.

The facility’s staff, along with representatives at Boone County Ambulance Service met with more than forty members of the community, who had gathered during the grand opening ceremonies to familiarize themselves with the facility.

There are 21 dialysis chairs in the building and currently the center has 18 patients, according to Dolly Hager.

“We were very pleased with the turnout during the grand opening ceremony. Not only were there many drug reps and other area doctors, but the local community came out to support us,” a spokesperson for the Dialysis Center told the Coal Valley News.

For more information about the new Boone Dialysis Center call 304-307-6201.