Kidney Health Week 24th May - 31st May
2008
Barbara Harvie, a renal nurse working at Canberra Hospital who
has made a significant contribution for indigenous health, nursing
education programs and resources, and Sheila Perryman a kidney
patient who for forty six years has managed to avoid dialysis
through diet and lifestyle changes, will both become part of Kidney
Health Australia's Operation Angel Program.
To celebrate its 40th Birthday Kidney Health Australia has
recognised Forty Kidney Health Angels with Operation Angel Awards
across Australia to people from all walks of life for their work and
involvement in kidney health issues.
The ACT Operation Angel
induction will take place this morning at Parliament House Canberra
as part of the launch of Kidney Health Week when Barbara and Sheila
will be presented with their Operation Angel Awards by the Federal
Minister for Health, the Hon. Nicola Roxon.
Anne Wilson, Chief Executive of Kidney Health Australia said, the
official recognition of such a diverse range of people from so many
walks of life reveals the many faces of kidney disease of which
one in three Australians is at increased risk.
"Operation Angel recognizes and promotes the work and care
carried out by hundreds of people daily in hospitals and medical
clinics to assist over fourteen thousand Australians to remain alive
on dialysis.
It also recognizes the commitment of family, friends and work
colleagues of kidney patients."
The Operation Angel Award recipients include:
Barbara Harvie
Working at Canberra Hospital, Barbara
Harvie works tirelessly for her chronic kidney disease and
transplant patients. She also gives a lot of her personal time to do
fantastic work for indigenous health, the Kidney Check Australia
Taskforce program, creates nursing education programs and resources,
and is a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner pioneer.
Sheila Perryman
Sheila has been a generous volunteer
for Kidney Health Australia not only assisting in our Canberra
office but also as a speaking volunteer, taking our messages to the
wider community. Sheila, 71, was diagnosed with a renal problem
after giving birth in 1962. And yet 46 years later she has never had
to resort to dialysis or a transplant. A former nurse and Day Care
Supervisor, Sheila puts her present situation down to a number of
factors - diet, support from family and friends, the work of her
local renal clinic, and a positive frame of mind.
