Media Release
23 September 2007
The Diary of Dialysis Patient Vicki who has made a decision to purchase a kidney for transplant from overseas has been released today to every Member of State and Federal Parliament in Australia by Kidney Health Australia via a special email bulletin.
Vicki's story has become public today in the Sunday Telegraph in NSW .
Vicki, a forty year old from New South Wales, has been waiting for a kidney transplant for three years and details her weekly physical and personal fight for survival and the trials and tribulations of surviving on dialysis.
Read Vicki's Diary
Patient plans to buy kidney to stay alive.
Anne Wilson, CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, "Vicki had approached Kidney Health Australia to tell her story publicly with the aim of highlighting the daily issues dialysis patients face and the urgent need to increase the number of organ donors."
Ms Wilson said, "the brave actions of Vicki to tell her story will place a community focus on the many difficulties dialysis patients and their families face everyday.
"At the present moment there are just over fourteen hundred people waiting for a kidney transplant with the average waiting time being around four to five years."
We believe the shortage of kidneys for transplantation will in the future see an increase in people purchasing organs from overseas as the number of people moving onto dialysis is increasing at 6.5% a year, Ms Wilson said.
Kidney Facts:
· One in three Australians is at risk of developing kidney disease.
· One in seven Australians has at least one indicator of kidney damage.
· As many as 2.3 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and not know it.
· Kidney disease is the seventh biggest killer of Australians, killing more people each year than accidents, suicide and breast cancer.
· Over 40 people die of kidney failure each day.
· 11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with, kidney failure.
· Deaths from kidney failure have doubled in the past 20 years.
· A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms.
· Number of cases of kidney failure is increasing at around 6% per annum
· The number of people on lifelong dialysis has increased by 6.5% each year
Media Enquiries:Ron Smith National Communications Manager Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201.
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Please, do read Vicki's diary and Vicki's story as printed in today's Sunday Telegraph in New South Wales.
Vicki is such a brave woman. Her story speaks for itself. Kidney disease dealt a devestating blow to my family. Well do we know the anguish associated with renal failure. My husband died as a result of this disease. Links included in the article above will give you more information on the key words highlighted.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
Showing posts with label organ donor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organ donor. Show all posts
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Influenza - is it worth the risk?
The following important message is from Kidney Health Australia's Online Bulletin.
The National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) has launched their 2007 www.fightflu.com.au campaign and website to provide information about the real risk of influenza and encourage vaccinations amongst health care providers, carers and people of all ages at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia.
There are over 1.2 million Australians aged 18-64 who are in the 'at risk' groups because they have a chronic disease such as diabetes, kidney failure, cancer or severe asthma, said NICS CEO, Dr Heather Buchan.
We know that vaccination is the single most effective preventative measure against influenza, but only 42 per cent of those at risk are being vaccinated. Influenza can kill but vaccinations saves lives so avoiding it really isn't worth the risk, said Dr Buchan.
For more information, visit www.fightflu.com.au or contact Sue Montague on (03) 8866 0415 or email: smontague@nicsl.com.au
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
The National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) has launched their 2007 www.fightflu.com.au campaign and website to provide information about the real risk of influenza and encourage vaccinations amongst health care providers, carers and people of all ages at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia.
There are over 1.2 million Australians aged 18-64 who are in the 'at risk' groups because they have a chronic disease such as diabetes, kidney failure, cancer or severe asthma, said NICS CEO, Dr Heather Buchan.
We know that vaccination is the single most effective preventative measure against influenza, but only 42 per cent of those at risk are being vaccinated. Influenza can kill but vaccinations saves lives so avoiding it really isn't worth the risk, said Dr Buchan.
For more information, visit www.fightflu.com.au or contact Sue Montague on (03) 8866 0415 or email: smontague@nicsl.com.au
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Drink water, nature's health drink on International Water Day.
With over two million Australians showing some sign of kidney disease, Kidney Health Australia has chosen International Water Day to call on people to drink water, nature’s health drink.
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, ”the organisation would also be encouraging all companies to print out fact sheets from the Kidney Health Australia website for the workplace water cooler, to get the kidney health message out to millions of Australians”.
“Water is nature’s health drink and the linking of kidney health awareness with drinking water is a perfect way for getting our vital message out to the broader community.”
On average, five new patients are accepted onto the Australian dialysis program each day, the cost of treating a patient with dialysis is $72,000 per annum and the number of patients on dialysis is increasing at 6% per annum.
Research shows over 25% of all patients coming to dialysis and transplantation do not see a kidney specialist until less than 90 days before dialysis starts, which is a clear indication of the need for a national awareness campaign on understanding and recognising the early causes of kidney disease.
Ms Wilson said research has shown that many people do not understand the main job of their kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood.
“Every day our kidneys filter an average of 200 litres of blood – a quantity that would fill 20 buckets!
“Besides this impressive, daily feat, kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.”
Kidneys gradually lose their ability to function making it a “silent” disease as it often goes unnoticed because it may not be “felt”, Ms Wilson said.
About Kidney Health Australia:
Kidney Health Australia is a national organisation committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare, and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.
Media Enquiries:Anne Wilson CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201.
I hope you find the above media release informative and helpful. My husband died of end stage renal disease and end stage cardiac disease following cholesterol embolism syndrome, commonly referred to as a cholesterol shower. Together, let us all embrace life, love our kidneys and love water.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said, ”the organisation would also be encouraging all companies to print out fact sheets from the Kidney Health Australia website for the workplace water cooler, to get the kidney health message out to millions of Australians”.
“Water is nature’s health drink and the linking of kidney health awareness with drinking water is a perfect way for getting our vital message out to the broader community.”
On average, five new patients are accepted onto the Australian dialysis program each day, the cost of treating a patient with dialysis is $72,000 per annum and the number of patients on dialysis is increasing at 6% per annum.
Research shows over 25% of all patients coming to dialysis and transplantation do not see a kidney specialist until less than 90 days before dialysis starts, which is a clear indication of the need for a national awareness campaign on understanding and recognising the early causes of kidney disease.
Ms Wilson said research has shown that many people do not understand the main job of their kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood.
“Every day our kidneys filter an average of 200 litres of blood – a quantity that would fill 20 buckets!
“Besides this impressive, daily feat, kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.”
Kidneys gradually lose their ability to function making it a “silent” disease as it often goes unnoticed because it may not be “felt”, Ms Wilson said.
About Kidney Health Australia:
Kidney Health Australia is a national organisation committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare, and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.
Media Enquiries:Anne Wilson CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201.
I hope you find the above media release informative and helpful. My husband died of end stage renal disease and end stage cardiac disease following cholesterol embolism syndrome, commonly referred to as a cholesterol shower. Together, let us all embrace life, love our kidneys and love water.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Australians urged to register as an organ donor and give the gift of life.
Do you know 63% of all transplants are kidney-related?
The average wait for a kidney transplant in Australia is four years, with waits of up to seven years not uncommon. One person a week is dying whilst waiting for transplant, according to Kidney Health Australia.
Ann Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Kidney Health Australia, said, “The number of new kidney failure patients commencing dialysis or transplant in 2005 was 2,210 representing an increase of 13% from the 1,950 people entering these programs in 2004. The number for 2005 was the highest ever recorded.
This is increasing pressure to lift organ donation rates with kidney transplants making up around 63% of all solid organ transplants in Australia in 2005.
Dr Tim Matthew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia, said that kidney transplantation is successful in 90% of cases and Australia has one of the best success rates of kidney transplant survival in the world.
“Sustained funding is needed at a federal and state level to support organ donation in hospitals which are working hard under the current collaborative program to increase the level of transplantation.”
“Patients on dialysis and their families are under great pressure waiting for the telephone call which could spell a new chance at life through a kidney transplant.”
My husband died in 2003, at 67 years of age, from a combination of end stage renal disease and end stage heart disease. My family and I are all to painfully aware of the great physical and emotional cost of kidney disease as well as the financial cost of treatment. My husband's renal failure resulted from high cholesterol.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
The average wait for a kidney transplant in Australia is four years, with waits of up to seven years not uncommon. One person a week is dying whilst waiting for transplant, according to Kidney Health Australia.
Ann Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Kidney Health Australia, said, “The number of new kidney failure patients commencing dialysis or transplant in 2005 was 2,210 representing an increase of 13% from the 1,950 people entering these programs in 2004. The number for 2005 was the highest ever recorded.
This is increasing pressure to lift organ donation rates with kidney transplants making up around 63% of all solid organ transplants in Australia in 2005.
Dr Tim Matthew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia, said that kidney transplantation is successful in 90% of cases and Australia has one of the best success rates of kidney transplant survival in the world.
“Sustained funding is needed at a federal and state level to support organ donation in hospitals which are working hard under the current collaborative program to increase the level of transplantation.”
“Patients on dialysis and their families are under great pressure waiting for the telephone call which could spell a new chance at life through a kidney transplant.”
My husband died in 2003, at 67 years of age, from a combination of end stage renal disease and end stage heart disease. My family and I are all to painfully aware of the great physical and emotional cost of kidney disease as well as the financial cost of treatment. My husband's renal failure resulted from high cholesterol.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Don’t take them with you mate, please!
Heaven knows, we really do need them here. From February 17th to the 24th Queenslanders Donate are celebrating Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week.
This celebration is their annual campaign to raise awareness of organ donation and to encourage people to register with the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Organ donors can save lives. Organ and tissue transplantations can help the many Australians who are suffering life threatening illnesses, including heart, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. There were 218 organ donors in Australia in 2004, while there are nearly 2000 Australians waiting for an organ transplant at any time. Sadly, many of these people may die waiting for a transplant.
Last month, Australian health ministers changed the Australian Organ Donor Register to a register of consent, rather than intent. This means that when a person has registered their consent through the Australian Organ Donor Register, clinicians will no longer need to seek the consent of the person’s family.
The Health Insurance Commission has useful information on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The Australian Department of Health and Ageing releases media statements encouraging all Australians to register.
HealthInsite has a topic page on Organ Donation where you can find other useful information. (please note the dates on this site may not have been renewed. This is an annual event)
Queensland Health Events Calendar 2007-08 is a great way to catch up with some of Queensland Health's important events.
Are your kidneys ok? Do you know, 63% of all organ transplants are kidney related? Watch out for more about this tomorrow.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
This celebration is their annual campaign to raise awareness of organ donation and to encourage people to register with the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Organ donors can save lives. Organ and tissue transplantations can help the many Australians who are suffering life threatening illnesses, including heart, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. There were 218 organ donors in Australia in 2004, while there are nearly 2000 Australians waiting for an organ transplant at any time. Sadly, many of these people may die waiting for a transplant.
Last month, Australian health ministers changed the Australian Organ Donor Register to a register of consent, rather than intent. This means that when a person has registered their consent through the Australian Organ Donor Register, clinicians will no longer need to seek the consent of the person’s family.
The Health Insurance Commission has useful information on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The Australian Department of Health and Ageing releases media statements encouraging all Australians to register.
HealthInsite has a topic page on Organ Donation where you can find other useful information. (please note the dates on this site may not have been renewed. This is an annual event)
Queensland Health Events Calendar 2007-08 is a great way to catch up with some of Queensland Health's important events.
Are your kidneys ok? Do you know, 63% of all organ transplants are kidney related? Watch out for more about this tomorrow.
Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.
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