KIDNEY CLUBS & SUPPORT GROUPS
FORUMS & EDUCATION
Why is it important to become a member of your Australian Kidney Community? One voice speaks louder!
Once registered with our Kidney Community, you will receive a monthly issue of our Kidney Community News allowing you access to:
- information and invitations to KHA's education and support activities
- updates on medical research in kidney disease, on clinical trials and research opportunities
- information on advocacy opportunities and government relations issues
- information on community and corporate events held by Kidney Health Australia
- personal profiles on key identities in our kidney community
|
CALLS TO ACTION
|
|
|
Subscribe to our Kidney Community Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter keeps you up to date with events and stories from your kidney community.
Issues you care about. Email subscribe@kidney.org.au or call 1800 4 KIDNEY - 1800 4 543639 and our friendly staff will help. Download our Kidney Community poster
|
 Share your story as we want to hear it! Send an idea for an article!
Let us know what you think of Kidney Community News. How can we improve it? Any ideas are welcome. Email our Editor, Ali Hickerson ali.hickerson@kidney.org.au
|
 KIDNEY CLUBS & SUPPORT GROUPS
No-one is prepared for changes ahead when your life is altered due to an illness. Both the patient and their family can benefit greatly from attending a support group with other people who have experience with kidney disease or indeed any chronic disease.
Kidney Clubs in Australia are coordinated by Kidney Health Australia especially for people with any stage of kidney failure - from acute to chronic - for those with CKD and on dialysis, those transplanted or waiting, or those with one or multiple health conditions which can, or has caused, kidney function impairment.
 The benefits of joining a Kidney Club or Support Group are many:
- you learn from others about how to cope with and manage your daily needs, how to provide appropriate and effective care, and learn how you can more easily live with your condition.
- you learn to laugh with others, and at yourself, to form friendships with others like yourself.
- you learn about various resources available and how others solve problems you are experiencing.
We would be delighted to promote your kidney support group if not listed on spreadsheet below, or on this page. Simply contact Matty Hempstalk on 0404 177748 with your details and request.
|
2013
|
AUSTRALIAN KIDNEY CLUBS - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
|
|
QLD
|
Toowoomba Kidney Club
Meet from 12.30 to 3.00 at Venue TBA on Sundays: 4 August and 1 December
Brisbane South East Kidney Club
Meet from 12.30 to 3.00 at Venue TBA on Sundays: 23 June, 22 September, 8 December |
|
NSW
|
Eurobodalla Renal Support & Organ Donor Awareness
Meet at Bridge Plaza, Batemans Bay - call Brad Rossiter 0458 534470 or ersg.oda2536@hotmail.com |
|
NT
|
Alice Springs Kidney Club - refer poster to promote this meeting here>
Meet on 29 June from 1.30 to 4 pm at Chifley Alice Springs Resort (Gumtree Room) 34 Stott Terrace. Guest Speaker: Liz Hillerman, Renal Dietitian. Refreshment: Afternoon Tea Provided. |
|
SA
|
Adelaide Kidney Club - refer poster for AKC meeting here>
Meets 12.15 to 2.30 pm at Hackney Hotel & Function Centre, 95 Hackney Road, Hackney
Sundays: 7 July, 15 September, 24 November
Topic: Appropriate Exercise can offer many benefits to those with kidney disease:
Refreshment: Lunch and drinks provided.
|
|
TAS
|
Hobart Kidney Club - download poster>
Meet from 12.30-3 pm at Waterworks Reserve, Ste 2 - cnr Waterworks & Ridgeway Road, Hobart on
Thursday 14 March (World Kidney Day) - free BBQ lunch and drinks provided. Limited availability - RSVP 14 March 2013. Advise if you require transport. Meetings planned for Sunday 2 June & October (date TBA).
Tamar Renal Support Group
Meets regularly on the 4th Saturday in month - Belle's Tea Room, Macquarie St, George Town (50km nth of Launceston) at 10.15am - contact Kelvin 0428 617697
|
|
VIC
|
Goulburn Valley Kidney Club
If interested in joining - contact Carmel Chaston 03 5795 2541 |
|
WA
|
Albany Kidney Support Group Inc
Small group of transplant recipients, dialysers, family members and friends. Join in sharing information, experience, socialising and fundraising for the comfort of dialysis patients in the local unit. Email Shirley Harding shirleyh@westnet.com.au or call 08 9844 8404.
Renal Support Group South West WA (Bunbury)
This group also runs a private group for Facebook members - send a request to join, to the administrator renalsupportWA@groups.facebook.com or contact Lulu Paxton 0417 182811.
Dialysis & Renal Transplant Association of WA brochure and newsletter www.dart.org.au
The DART social support group of patients, carers, donors, friends and family associated with kidney disease, hosts regular functions - fun, relaxing social opportunity for members to meet, chat and share experiences. Sign up for DART's newsletter listing events, recipes and articles on kidney health. |
Join our family - LIKE us at KidneyHealthAus
You can also search Facebook to find online groups of kidney minded people from Australia and global community. New groups are often set as private, you need to apply to join, to protect your privacy. after listening to other people in a group who share a common experience, you learn you are not ‘unique’, and that others are living with the same difficulties you experience.
Examples
aHUS Patient Support Group Australia - private Facebook group - apply to join
aHUS is a rare genetic disease that affects a part of the immune system, causing blood clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body. People with aHUS have a constant risk of sudden, life-threatening complications due to damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and brain. aHUS can affect infants, children or adults and many people develop kidney damage and need dialysis or kidney transplant. The disease is lifelong and there is no cure although recently a treatment has been found to help stop the immune system attack that causes the problems of aHUS.
Kidney Disease and Diet Ideas - private Facebook group - apply to join
This is a place to share ideas and recipe's for CKD please help..We each need each other...this is a very hard disease to be fighting alone...Please remember to check with your medical team before trying any of the suggestions on this page. Remember, we are not medical professionals, but we feel it is very important to be active in our health and owning our kidney disease!
More info www.apsga.org.au or to join group, if not a Facebook user contact Kerri Grey, President aPSGA info@apsga.org.au or call 0402 052 411.
 KIDNEY HEALTH EDUCATION FORUMS 2013
Forums are an excellent opportunity to gain practical information and understanding of managing nutrition and lifestyle options, when living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Bookmark this page!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Perth
Kidney Health Australia in Perth in collaboration with WARES (Western Renal Education Services)
Kidney Care 1 - “Making a Difference - Keeping Healthy and Feeling Good"
For people with mild to moderate kidney disease - learn how to manage your kidney health
Two sessions in 2013: Saturday 23 February & Saturday 24 August
Kidney Care 2 - “Treatment Choices”
For people with moderate to severe kidney disease - see what treatment options are available
Two sessions in 2013: Saturday 16 March * Saturday 19 October
Enquiries to KHA Office Perth: 08 9381 9311 or to:
Fremantle Hospital: Sandie Porter - 08 9431 3683
Royal Perth Hospital: Rebecca Bartlett - 08 9224 3819
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital: Lotta Ekstrom - 08 9346 4058
Collaborative event. If unsure which hospital you are affiliated with, contact your doctor
Download to print poster to promote these kidney education workshops>
INTRODUCING OUR HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGERS
National Health Programs Manager - Anne Revell on 1800 4 KIDNEY
National Kidney Club Coordinator - Matty Hempstalk on 0404 177748
National Children's Coordinator - Stephen Anderson on 02 9299 4599
Kidney Cancer Project Manager - Theresa Whalen 03 9674 4300
Home Dialysis Program Manager - Debbie Fortnum on 08 89381 9311
NSW: Daniel Glaubert - 02 9299 4599 or email nsw@kidney.org.au
QLD: Amber Williamson - 0412 162618 or email qld@kidney.org.au
TAS: Sarah Challenor - 03 6348 7533 or email tas@kidney.org.au
VIC & SA: Jo Fairbairn - 03 9674 4315 or email jo.fairbairn@kidney.org.au
WA: Colin Finch - 08 9381 9311 or email wa@kidney.org.au
Our Kidney Health Information Service (KHIS line)
Free call service for people with, or affected by, kidney and urinary disease
 or email a query to KHIS@kidney.org.au
National Relay Service - www.relayservice.com.au - for those with hearing or speech impairment
Use this service to connect to our KHIS line - quote 1800 4 54363 as '9' is silent for this purpose
TTY/Voice 133 677 | Speak & Listen (SSR) 1300 555 727 I www.iprelay.com.au/call/index.aspx |