THE NEWSLETTERI FOR KIDNEY HEALTH AUSTRALIA L FE June 2008 GeelonG cats couraGe and inspiration Kidney Health Australia has used the “In Tom’s case it is quite clear he has been and will continue celebration of World Kidney Day to recognise to be an inspiration to people suffering with kidney disease young Geelong Cats star Tom Lonergan for his through his courage and determination to get back in the outstanding display of courage and inspiration game and on with life.” to all patients suffering with Chronic Kidney Ms Wilson said Kidney Health Australia has also recognised Disease. the Geelong Cats through its Board, staff, players and supporters for the encouragement and assistance it provided Tom had a kidney removed as the result of a football Tom to cope with the traumatic life-changing experience of injury in an AFL game late in 2006, however he made a losing one of his kidneys. triumphant return to the game in 2007 including the VFL Grand Final kicking six goals and has now returned to “Whilst World Kidney Day is based on awareness and the the senior team. fact that only 5% of people know where their kidneys are and what they do, we also see it as a day to celebrate the Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia speaking courage and determination of people to cope with kidney at the launch said the Operation Angel Awards recognise disease and the often unsung efforts of their carers, friends people and organisations that make an outstanding and families who support them.” contribution to Kidney Health in Australia in the medical, carer, and public awareness fields. Ms Wilson also thanked Amgen for hosting the event at its Melbourne headquarters in Hawthorn. World Kidney Day launch Left to right: Bernie and Tricia Lonergan, Tom Lonergan, Brian Cook CEO Geelong Cats, Elise O’Neil and Anne Wilson CEO Kidney Health Australia at the presentation of the Operation Angel Awards. Kidney Health community Australia Appoints seeKs New Chairman information on silent Killer There was a 20% increase in the calls to the National Kidney Health Information Service 1800 helpline due to increased public awareness of kidney disease known as the ‘silent killer’. People can lose up to 90% of their kidney function and not even know it. The National Kidney Health Information Service line took some 3100 calls in 2007. The National Kidney Health Information Service line continues to offer information, support and resources to those affected by kidney Angela Reddy disease and their families. Chairman Kidney Health Australia Information services are also offered to members of the public and health professionals. Kidney Health Australia has appointed Ms Angela Reddy as its new Chairman. Enquiries to this service are received via the freecall 1800 4 Kidney Ms Reddy has a strong background in health (1800 4 543 639) number, TTY services, state office calls, direct policy development and administration contact in person at each state office, emails and faxes. having worked in the Commonwealth This service does not offer medical advice and is intended for Department of Health for more than information and referral purposes only. It is the first port of call for 30 years. many people who are finding it hard to cope with kidney disease During the period 1997-2003 Ms Reddy worked either as a patient or a carer. as adviser to several Federal Government ministers. And from 1993 oversaw the The total number of information resources distributed by Kidney development of key reports on Australia’s Health Australia during 2007 also grew from 387,806 to 435,335, an National Health Priority Areas informing all increase of approximately 9%. Health Ministers about the impact of major While the number of patients accepted onto dialysis programs chronic diseases. continues to spiral upwards, with an increase of almost 8% in 2006 Ms Reddy returned from a four year period over 2005, we are preparing for increased demand for all Kidney as Tasmanian State Manager for Department Health Australia information services due to increased promotion of Health and Ageing in 2004 and took up the and awareness of issues surrounding kidney disease. position acting as head of the Rural Health Branch. She retired from the Commonwealth Public Service in March 2007 and has been a member of the Kidney Health Australia Board since that time. Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia paid tribute to Professor Villis Marshall who retired as Chairman of the Board of Kidney Health Australia after serving on the Board from 1996 to 2008 inclusive and was elected as Chairman in 2002. Ms Wilson said his period as Chairman has seen significant changes in areas such as raising clinical and public awareness of the impact of kidney disease. Thanks largely to his stewardship Kidney Health Australia is now well placed to move forward on the Board’s key goals and objectives. Kidney Health Week 24-31 may 2008 and 40 Angels The Federal Health Minister Nicola risk of heart disease if their waistlines are greater than Roxon will officially launch Kidney 94cm and at high risk if it is over 102cm. Women are Health Week at Parliament House in at increased risk of heart disease if their waistlines are Canberra on Monday 26th May 2008. greater than 80cm and at high risk over 88cm. Other events for Kidney Health Week • eating a healthy diet, will take place around the nation in • making water your drink of choice, Australia’s capital cities. • drinking alcohol only moderately. No more than two To celebrate its 40th birthday Kidney standard drinks a day for men and one for women, and Health Australia will also officially • making sure your blood glucose is well controlled if you The Hon. Nicola Roxon recognise forty Angels from around have diabetes. Minister for Health and Ageing Australia from all walks of life that have made a significant contribution To order a free copy of our Early Detection to assisting Kidney sufferers and contributed to the work of and Prevention health book with tips Kidney Health Australia. on keeping your kidneys healthy, please email The continuing theme of will [email protected] be the focus of Kidney Health Week to stress the ongoing or visit www.kidney.org.au importance of early detection. Kidney Health Australia will take its message to schools with its special mascot Billy the Kidney. Cut your risk Be aware of the risks and take the right steps to prevent kidney damage. You can reduce your risk of kidney disease by: • being a non-smoker, • controlling your blood pressure, • staying fit. Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, • maintaining a healthy weight. Men are at increased Kidney Health Releases neW tV adVertisement Our new community service announcement advises that about 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and not even know it. Research shows over 25% of all patients coming to dialysis and transplantation did not see a specialist until less than 90 days before dialysis started. Are you at high risk for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Check Your Situation. This ad can be viewed by going to our website: www.kidney.org.au THE NEWSLETTER FOR KIDNEY HEALTH AUSTRALIA November 2007 roxBy doWns maKes History as part of first Kidney screeninG proGram in australia Roxby Downs has taken its place in KEY Program at history as one of the first locations Olympic Dam Roxby Downs in Australia to undertake a screening Left to right program for Chronic Kidney Disease Dr Tim Mathew Medical Director (CKD). Kidney Health Australia Anne Wilson CEO Kidney Health Australia Kidney Health Australia with the support of Olivia Corso CKD Early Detection the Federal Government and BHP Billiton Project Officer Kidney Health launched KEY – ‘Kidney Evaluation for Australia You’, an early detection program to evaluate Professor Alan Collins, Director and Principal Investigator for the US kidney function, cardiovascular health and Renal Data System Coordinating diabetes in high risk individuals. Center With 1 in 3 Australian adults at increased risk of developing CKD, Roxby Downs residents who are in the “high risk” group were able to book in to have a free KEY health check. The high risk group is as follows: KEY Program at • Anyone 50 years and above or 35 years Olympic Dam and above if of Aboriginal and/or Torres Roxby Downs Strait Islander origin Olympic Dam miner being tested by • Anyone with diabetes Julie Reynolds. • Anyone with high blood pressure (on or not on treatment) • Anyone with a first degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) with kidney disease KEY team Until now a primary health care program Left to right: Mark Shephard, for chronic kidney disease detection has not Rebecca Taylor. Anne existed and the program in Roxby Downs Shephard, Anne Wilson, was a significant signpost for the future Professor Alan Collins evaluation and detection of Kidney disease. and Olivia Corso CKD is often referred to as the “silent killer” as 80-90% of kidney function can be lost before an individual experiences any symptoms. Yet the level of awareness of CKD amongst the general public and health professionals is low and many risk factors KEY team at of CKD are modifiable. BHP Billiton offices in Perth Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Left to right: Health Australia, attended Roxby Downs Mark Shephard, Fran Skilton, for the KEY program and said, “a KEY Julie Reynolds, program is vital in Australia to reduce the Olivia Corso, burden of kidney disease and kidney failure Rebecca Taylor. and the program is the start of one of the most important and effective primary care programs to manage CKD in Australia.” Government Urged Sheila’s Kidney to take Immediate Survival Strategy Action on By Cameron Munro Kidney Disease can mean dialysis, a transplant Transplant Report and often results in early mortality, but Canberra resident Sheila Perryman has shown 56% of all organ transplants it is possible to live a long and comparatively are kidney-related normal life with the disease.