Anne Wilson, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer explained that the Kent Town Adelaide facility will join the existing Melbourne and Perth facilities providing eligible rural and regional kidney patients with secure, quality accommodation where they can rest and recover from transplant surgery or undergo dialysis training and education at no cost.

There are currently 1,083 Australians on the waiting list for a life-saving kidney transplant and in 2014 over 85 kidney transplant operations were performed in South Australia alone.

South Australian resident Kerry Dunn, mother of six year old transplant recipient Angus said she wished that such a facility was available when Angus underwent his transplant surgery in 2013.

Kidney transplant houses allow families to stay together during the crucial recovery period post-transplant and significantly ease the financial and emotional burden by removing sometimes crippling accommodation costs that result from needing to be near to major hospitals for kidney organ transplantation.

Patients are able to recover in a peaceful and relaxing environment close to major hospitals, shops, parkland and public transport for the two months they generally need, and feedback from patients who have accessed existing facilities includes:

'I didn't have to worry about my family while I was in hospital and I was able to join them after the operation close to my doctors and hospital. We're forever grateful to Kidney Health Australia for the kidney house,' Damien Rosella, kidney transplant recipient

'A massive thanks for everything you do and especially what you have done for me and my family recently. Having the use of this apartment has been simply amazing and has aided the recovery process greatly,' Brett Holmes, kidney transplant recipient

Last year the program nationally provided essential assistance to 16 rural and regional kidney transplant and home training patients.

The South Australian accommodation is a new two bedroom, two bathroom spacious apartment that is scheduled for completion in early 2017. The residence is part of the Verde Living development that will provide a calm, relaxed environment in which to recover.It is located on King William St, Kent Town convenient to the existing - and new - Royal Adelaide Hospital sites, the Women's and Children's Hospital, parkland, shops, cafes and public transport.

'The name Emorgo Kidney Transplant House recognises the incredible support of the Emorgo Foundation that provided the funds to purchase the property,' Ms Wilson said.

Kidney Health Australia, formerly the Australian Kidney Foundation, is a national health care charity with a vision 'to save and improve the lives of Australians affected by kidney disease'.
As the national peak body, Kidney Health Australia promotes good kidney health through delivery of programs in education, advocacy, research and support.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Kidney Health Australia - Mobile: 0417 329 201