Kidney Health Australia was founded in 1968 and was originally named ‘The Australian Kidney Foundation’. The change of name has provided the opportunity to re-position the organisation and clarify our purpose in the mind of the Australian public by clearly reflecting the nature of our business – namely kidney health.
Kidney Health Australia is a not for profit organization whose focus is to improve kidney health outcomes which lead to substantial improvements to the quality of life for people with kidney and urinary tract diseases, their families and carers, as well as developing initiatives that reduce the incidence of kidney disease in the Australian community.
Kidney Health Australia has given a long term commitment to families and children affected by kidney disease, but the biggest challenge remains for us to reach those two million Australians who do not know they have early kidney damage.
 Our kidney health education programs
All medical and health information - booklets, brochures, fact sheets and publications which we produce are evidence-based. These resources give precise, up to date information on a wide range of kidney related conditions, care and treatments, of interest to everyone involved in the wider kidney world.
Each of our Kidney Health Australia Health Services and Programs are high quality projects, developed and tailored to the individual needs of our Australian kidney community, to assist, educate and support patients, their carers and families, allied health professionals and the general public.
Advocacy/Consumer Participation
Consumer Advocacy Councils have been established in each state. Your National Consumer Council identify and are informed of issues affecting individuals living with kidney and urinary tract disease, their families and carers. See Consumer Participation and You Can Help?
 What is Kidney Health Information Service (KHIS)?
This is Kidney Health Australia’s telephone support service for people living with and/or affected by kidney and urinary disease.
This is a freecall service offered throughout Australia and is used by the general public, carers, concerned relatives/friends, nurses, social workers, dieticians, occupational therapists, rehabilitation counsellors and students.
Kidney Connect
Is our umbrella support program for people with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members. It consists of the following programs:
Our Camps, Capers and Activities Program
Kidney Health Australia's Recreation Camps are organised for Kidney Kids and adults who have kidney disease, who are on dialysis, and/or who have received a transplant
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Kidney Kids Camp - is a five-day camp held in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania on a 12 to18 month rotational basis, with the aim of national implementation when more funds are available. These camps are for Kidney' Kids - 7 to 17 - who live with kidney disease.
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Kidney Kids Capers - and other recreational and holiday activities, aim to give people of all ages with kidney disease, their families and carers an enjoyable break from their normal routines. This program provides daytime activities for school-aged children with kidney disease as well as their brothers or sisters. Each state program is action-packed and fun-filled, providing kids and their parents/carers with an opportunity for networking as well as a break from their normal routine - a Family Fun Day.
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Henry Giblett Adult Holiday Dialysis Program - 7 to13 November 2010, Busselton WA
This holiday program was founded in 1995 and allows families under financial stress to enjoy a holiday break for at least one week per year, and is a highlight for many dialysis families who are forced to follow a rigid schedule of dialysis treatment every two to three days per week.
Our Programs for Health Professionals
The Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment - CARI Guidelines is an evidence-based project from the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology and Kidney Health Australia.
CARI seeks to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients with kidney disease in Australia & New Zealand. CARI offers clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence and effectiveness.
 The Kidney Check Australia Taskforce (KCAT) was established in 2001. This highly regarded group manages our education program for health professionals, to improve the knowledge and understanding of 'who and how' to screen for kidney disease.
KCAT works in conjunction with prominent kidney specialists, general practitioners, practice nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, to provide a series of educational workshop modules which can be utilised for Workshops which are FREE to Divisions of General Practice around Australia. Each module is designed to assist with developing skills in the detection and management of CKD.
Organ Donation Awareness
Kidney Health Australia actively encourages Australians to become organ donors but we do not manage organ and tissue donation registration nor the retrieval and transplantation of organs. All enquiries are referred to the Organ Donor Registry or their Hotline 1800 777 203.
Discover - Decide - Discuss DonateLife™ an Australian Government Initiative
This program recognises and promotes the work carried out by hundreds of people daily in hospitals and medical clinics to assist over 14,000 Australians remain alive on dialysis and transplantation.
We proudly honour these inspirational Kidney Health Australia 'Angels'
Our Operation Angel Awards were set up to honour and recognise kidney patients recognises the commitment of family, friends and work colleagues of our kidney patients and the work carried out by hundreds of people daily, in hospitals and medical clinics to assist over 14,000 Australians on dialysis and with transplantation. It also recognises the commitment of family, friends and work colleagues.
Kidney Health Australia in the global kidney community
The International Federation of Kidney Foundations www.ifkf.net
 Kidney Health Australia has been a proud IFKF Council Member since its creation in 2000 and has done much to help it grow since. We are proud of the work we do for our global kidney community.
Our staff help to co-ordinate its unique inventory of IFKF Member Resources. This is a handy reference point when health professionals need to contact any international kidney foundation or patient group, to access information for patiens who speak English as a second language. Enquiries range from kidney health education resources, relocation information and for travel on dialysis.
 World Kidney Day - 10 March 2011 www.worldkidneyday.org
Held annually on the 2nd Thursday in March, we support this global World Kidney Day program, which is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of our kidneys, to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.
Updated 29 July 2010
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