Kidney Health Week 24th May - 31st May
2008
The Victorian Minister for Health, Daniel Andrews, will be
surrounded by Angels at Parliament House this morning when he
officially launches Kidney Health Week which focuses on detection,
prevention and management of kidney disease to lower the number of
dialysis patients.
Chronic Kidney Disease is responsible for the highest number of
hospital visits to public hospitals in Australia. In 2005 / 2006
one third of all admissions to public hospitals were due to
dialysis, 2000 each day of the year.
In 2005 / 2006 a total of 731,000 visits out of a total of 2.215
million hospital admissions were related to kidney disease.
In Victoria in 2005 / 2006 a total of 358,000 hospital
admissions were related to kidney disease.
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.
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."
Also present to meet the Minister will be Billy Kidney who is set
to spearhead a Kidney Health community awareness program into
Victorian schools in the next twelve months.
Kidney Health Angels being recognized today include:
Alan Rawson has run the two Dialysis Holiday Homes at
Yarrawonga and Rosebud for 15 years on behalf of the Dialysis &
Transplant Association.
Rosemary Simmonds has worked tirelessly to build, sustain
and explore the potentials of home nocturnal haemodialysis since its
inception in Geelong in 2000.
Kath Retallick from Numurkah brings her full care
dependant husband to dialysis three days a week and provides
friendship and support to other dialysis clients
Eunice Luker a volunteer coordinator within the Geelong
Dialysis Unit for more than 12 years.
Bernie Farrell commenced his association with Kidney
Health Australia in 2005 by way of consumer feedback and continues
to work tirelessly in representing Victorian consumers of renal
health.
Yogarani (Yogi) Jeyakumar has provided years of service
and commitment to Kidney Kids Camp held in Victoria, as well as the
Kidney Health Australia National Kidney Kids Camp, which was
established in 2002.
To celebrate Kidney Health's 40th Birthday the Minister will be
invited to cut the Kidney Health Birthday Cake with a special good
health wish.
Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson Chief Executive Kidney Health
Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director
Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith
National Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417
329 201
