The Big Red Kidney Bus provides dialysis for people on holiday – and information about kidney disease to the public. The bus is in Kiama until 3 August. Photo: Kidney Health Australia.
If you live in the Gilmore electorate it’s time to spare a thought for your kidneys.
Almost 3000 Gilmore residents have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, with the electorate having the highest percentage of diagnoses in a community in the country, and experts from Kidney Health Australia believe another 18,000 people are likely undiagnosed with the condition.
To put kidney health top of mind, and to provide easier access to lifesaving treatment, the Big Red Kidney Bus is in Kiama this month, 8 July to 3 August.
Kidney Health Australia’s free dialysis service on the bus allows those from near and far to receive lifesaving dialysis treatment while enjoying a much-needed holiday in beautiful surrounds.
“You can lose 90 per cent of kidney function before symptoms appear, resulting in late diagnosis,” Chris Forbes, CEO of Kidney Health Australia, said.
“We are delighted to bring the Big Red Kidney Bus to Kiama. Our bus is much loved by our kidney community as it gives them the freedom to move beyond their treating clinic and visit other parts of Australia – a freedom so many of us take for granted.”
Dialysis replaces natural kidney function by cleaning the blood and getting rid of toxins.
Although a lifesaving treatment, it can be a grueling and highly invasive medical intervention – three days a week, five hours per session.
This severely restricts the time people can spend with family and friends and makes holidays challenging.
The dialysis sessions on the bus are free to eligible patients and allow bus visitors to maintain their dialysis routine. Royal North Shore Hospital dialysis nurses on board the bus provide the same high-quality care patients are used to inside the hospital.
The Big Red Kidney Bus will be stationed at the Big4 Easts Beach Holiday Park in Kiama, and residents from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are welcome to see how the service works and learn more about kidney disease.
The bus was last in Kiama in 2018.
“We hope that having the bright red bus in Kiama will bring much needed awareness to locals about kidney health and the fact that 1.8 million adult Australians who have kidney disease remain undiagnosed,” said Mr Forbes.
“Due to its symptomless nature it is commonly diagnosed at kidney failure stage, by which time there is little that can be done to slow progression.”
People living with kidney disease who are interested in booking into the service are encouraged to contact Kidney Health Australia on 1800 454 353 or visit kidney.org.au/bus for more information.
Loading ...
