Six New South Wales
Kidney Health Australia Angels were recognised
today during a special ceremony at the Royal Prince
Alfred Hospital to launch Kidney Health Week.
Dr Andrew McDonald MP, the New South
Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Health officially
launched Kidney Health Week in New South Wales
and presented the Operation Angel Awards to people
who have made an outstanding contribution to Kidney
Health.
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.
Chronic Kidney Disease is
responsible for the highest number of hospital visits to
public hospitals in Australia. In 2005 / 2006, 12% of
all admissions to public hospitals were due to dialysis,
2000 each day of the
year.
"Operation Angel recognises
and promotes the work and care carried out by hundreds
of people daily in hospitals and medical clinics to
assist over ten thousand Australians to remain alive on
dialysis. It also recognises the commitment of family,
friends and work colleagues of kidney patients."
Kidney Health
Angels recognised included:
Mr Denis Bucknell - KHA NSW
Consumer Committee Representative
Denis is a
loving kidney carer for his wife who is a dialysis
patient, and has been a representative on the Kidney
Health Australia NSW Consumer Committee for many years.
Denis is relentless in his pursuits for better
conditions for people affected by kidney disease. His
passions are to see better recognition and support for
carers, and financial support and subsidies for those
travelling to and from dialysis units three times per
week for their life saving treatment. Denis is
particularly passionate about working for the benefits
of those living in rural and regional areas of NSW, some
of whom travel up to 2 hours for their
treatment.
Mrs Melissa Darnley -
KHA NSW Consumer Committee
Representative
Melissa has never let having
the life-changing diagnosis of chronic kidney disease
get in her way. She is an active member of the kidney
community and a friend to many, using her far-reaching
kidney 'internet buddies' to link up with others with
Chronic Kidney Disease. Melissa was a home 'dialyser' (a
term she prefers to 'patient') until recently receiving
a kidney transplant.
Between working
part-time, being a 'samba blissta' in a dance band
and a shoulder to lean for others, she has lovingly put
together a collection of stories from people with kidney
problems and their families of how they live well with
kidney disease entitled 'Yesterday, today and tomorrow -
Personal accounts of people living with kidney failure.'
In addition to her many achievements, she continues to
contribute to the kidney community through her
representation as a consumer on the NSW Consumer
Committee and the Home Dialysis Advisory
group.
Mr Evan Eggins - KHA NSW Consumer
Committee Representative
Evan is a
transplant recipient who last year was recognised on
World Kidney Day for having his kidney transplant for
over 25 years. As well as working full time at
Telstra in an executive position, Evan has found time to
be chairperson of the Kidney Health Australia NSW
Consumer Committee, the NSW representative on the Kidney
Health Australia National Consumer Committee, the Kidney
Check Australia Taskforce committee and the Dialysis
Nephrology Transplant committee.
Evan works
tirelessly to improve the life of people affected by
kidney disease. Along with his work within the various
committees, Evan is a regular presenter for groups such
as Rotary and Lions.
Ms Jacqui Devlin - NSW
Coordinator, Dialysis Escape Line
Jacqui has
made an outstanding contribution to those affected by
kidney disease. Whilst being a home dialyser who manages
her treatment solo, 3-4 times per week she also finds
time to coordinate the NSW arm of the Dialysis Escape
Line (DELA). As coordinator of DELA Jacqui puts
together day trips and holidays, which are often
subsidised by DELA, for dialysis patients and their
partners. Jacqui always makes herself available to speak
at the Kidney Health Australia NSW Consumer forums,
presenting a positive outlook and encouraging others to
get on with their lives as well as they can. Her
fundraising efforts are never ending and she is at the
moment organising her third ball at the Manly Pacific
Hotel to ensure that her work at DELA
continues.
Mr Brad Rossiter - KHA
NSW Consumer Committee Representative
Brad
in a Representative on the Kidney Health Australia NSW
Consumer Committee and is the founding member of the
Eurobodalla Renal Support Group. The Eurobodalla Renal
Support Group is a collection of patients and carers
affected by kidney disease living in the Batemans Bay
and Moruya regions of the NSW south coast, who get
together periodically to share stories and give each
other support. Brad himself is a recipient of a
kidney and pancreatic transplant just over 2 years
ago.
Despite many health setbacks, Brad
works tirelessly in his local community creating
awareness of chronic kidney disease, organ donation and
transplantation. Recently Brad received an award from
Gift of Life Incorporated for his efforts in the
promotion of organ donation
awareness.
Mrs Karissa Freestone - New
England Health / Wansey Centre
Karissa has
tirelessly worked as a renal social worker for many
years, but these last 12 months have seen Karissa go
above and beyond in her role. She facilitates
carers/patient support groups providing invaluable
information for people affected by kidney disease. She
is heavily involved with the Hunter and Northern Kidney
Association (HANKA) to provide them with knowledge and
sharing her skills.
Karissa is a renal
social worker in New South Wales and is currently
focusing on putting advance care plans into place for
patients. Most recently, she began running an adjustment
program to provide patients with support and comfort
with moving forward with their
treatment.
Chronic Kidney Disease Fast
Facts
How much does Kidney Failure
cost the Australian health
system?
· The best available
evidence we have on cost per person per year on dialysis
is:
-
hospital Haemodialysis -
$82,764
-
satellite Haemodialysis -
$48,631
-
home Haemodialysis -
$44,739
-
peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) -
$56,828
·
On 2005 figures the
cumulative cost of dialysis from 2004 to 2010 is
expected to be $4.5
billion
Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson
Chief Executive Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165
391
Ron Smith, National Communications
Manager, Kidney Health Australia
Mobile: 0417 329
201
Media
Release 27 May 2009