The Queensland Parliament will be filled with Angels today when Kidney Health Australia releases its 2008 Operation Angel Awards to honour people and organisations who have made a significant contribution to helping people with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Image right: Ms Karen Struthers MP, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health

Angel Flight, renal nurses, carers and people raising awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease are among the Kidney Health Angels to be recognised.

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.

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 recognises 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 recognises the commitment of family, friends and work colleagues of kidney patients."

Kidney Health Angels being recognised today include:

Joan Allen has been involved in caring for transplant patients through the Princess Alexandra Hospital for most of her nursing career. Until 2001, Joan was the Charge Nurse of the Transplant Unit of the hospital, commencing in the 1970s.

Ken Chiplin is a volunteer who comes to the dialysis unit at Wesley Hospital three times a week to assist with meals, messages, patient transport, and making up cannulation packs. Ken's wife was on dialysis but has since passed away, and Ken can see the nursing staff need support. He stays in the unit for four hours each day and talks to patients during their treatment.

Moy Sweetman is a transplant recipient who has used her experience to establish a charity to help others with kidney disease, cancer and other chronic diseases.

Angel Flight - Established in April 2003, Angel Flight Australia is a charity that co-ordinates non- emergency flights for financially and medically needy people. Angel Flight provided flights for a young dialysis patient every week for more than a year. They provided an outstanding service that otherwise would not have been available for this chronically ill child.

Keri-Lu Equinox is an outstanding clinical nurse at Cairns Base Hospital. She helps kidney disease patients get back to their communities and provides extra support and friendship.

Nick Farley is a trained volunteer speaker for Kidney Health Australia and has been a member of the Consumer Participation Committee in Canberra. Nick had his own transplant in Melbourne at the age of 30. He has spent the past six years in Canberra, and is a recent arrival to Brisbane where he is enjoying a seachange. He has been involved in the Australian Transplant Cricket team and through his work in the Defence Department has been able to gain their support in promoting organ donation to defence personnel.

To celebrate Kidney Health Australia's 40th Birthday Ms Struthers will be invited to cut the Kidney Health Birthday Cake with Angels and 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