Kidney Health Week 24th May - 31st May
2008
The Deputy Premier and Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human
Services, Lara Giddings, will be surrounded by Angels at Parliament
House this afternoon when she 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 Tasmania in 2005 / 2006 a total of 12,400 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."
Kidney Health Angels being recognized today includes:
Margaret Binns - a dialysis nurse for more than 20 years,
Margaret Binns has worked tirelessly in both professional and
community settings to improve the well-being of people with kidney
disease.
Michael Dewis - a carer at the Launceston General Hospital
Renal Unit.
Kerry Walker - a transplant recipient who was on dialysis
for seven years until he received a kidney in 2003. Kerry has become
an advocate for public awareness about chronic kidney disease.
Jennifer Reynolds - a nurse attached to the satellite
Renal Unit of the Launceston General Hospital in Burnie. She has a
particular gift of personalising her nursing, so that the recipients
are assured their care and well-being is of prime importance to her.
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:
Wayne Green Kidney Health Australia
National Health Manager Mobile: 0403 417 940
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
