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It is hard to believe the end of another great year is just around the corner and we always seem to have so much to do and so little time to do it in.

At Kidney Health Australia we are working solidly on finalising our plans and budgets for 2014 while delivering our programs and services across Australia. As you can see from the Kidney Calendar of Events listed at the end of this newsletter, there are activities happening all around the country including Kidney Kids Capers in several states, a public Health Forum in Hobart and the Henry Giblett Holiday Dialysis Program in Western Australia to name a few.

Issue 32 – october 2013Kidney Community

Questions about this recipe? Email colette.lappin@kidney.org.au

From the CEO

Born 12 weeks premature and weighing only 1.5kgs, Ethan Daws’ kidneys were only 1/6th the size of normal kidneys. Ethan was 14 when his kidney function dropped to only 3%, and finding out his dad Steven was a match, had a kidney transplant just over 2 years ago.

Ethan went on to compete in the Australian Transplant Games in Newcastle in September 2012, where he won five gold medals (three in swimming, and one each in ten-pin bowling and tennis). Most recently, Ethan represented Transplant Australia at the World Games in July 2013 in Durban, South Africa, competing in five events: 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke.

Ethan’s proud family were there to cheer him on see him win one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

Ethan is now focusing on preparing for the 2014 Australian National Championships, and working towards his dream to be the first S16 Multi Class swimmer to represent Australia at the Paralympics in 2016.

From transplant to swim champ

LIKE TO RECEIVE KIDNEY COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH FOR FREE?Free call 1800 454 353 or email subscribe@kidney.org.au to sign up!

Appointment of new Health MinisterWhen governments change as

has occurred recently, it takes time for things to settle down and for new Ministers and Federal Bureaucrats to address the issues so important to their respective portfolios.

To this end, Kidney Health Australia, has written to the Prime Minister The Hon. Tony Abbott and to Health Minister The Hon. Peter Dutton, congratulating them both on election

victory and indicating our desire to work with them to address issues of health policy and practice, on behalf of Australians affected by kidney disease and their families. Copies of Kidney Health Australia’s pre-election submission were sent as a basis for future discussion.

Based on input from our kidney community, Kidney Health

Australia’s priorities ‘Checklist for Action’ includes focus on the following priorities:• Efficient, effective early detection at the primary care level• Better support the carers of those living with kidney disease• Creating a better system for live organ donation• Tackling kidney disease in Indigenous Australians through

prevention, treatment, education and governance• Raising awareness, support and education surrounding this

‘silent killer’ at a community level• Addressing research funding for kidney disease through

focussed priorities, including developing a renal services planTo access the full copy of our submission go to the Kidney

Health Australia website at: www.kidney.org.au. Further information on our National Action Plan is a highlight in this edition of Kidney Community.

Please enjoy this issue of Kidney Community and I hope you find it interesting and stimulating.

Anne Wilson, Chief Executive officer

Peter Dutton

Ethan Daws

HEALTH/MEDICAL

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A study presented by a Queensland research team at the recent Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Annual Scientific Meeting has highlighted the role that coping strategies play in maintaining haemodialysis at home.

The study, reported by psychologist Jane Nearhos, evaluated the association between demographic, medical factors and psychological factors and the ability to learn home haemodialysis and to keep using home haemodialysis. In their sample of 113 adults they showed that the use of adaptive coping strategies was the strongest predictor of being able to maintain home haemodialysis. Adaptive coping strategies typically include skills such as planning and problem solving. The authors are hopeful that interventions to teach and reinforce adaptive coping skills will result in more people utilising home haemodialysis for longer.

If you would like to talk about this, or any other issues relating to home dialysis, please call us on 1800 454 353.

Source: Nearhos J et al. Psychological factors associated with successful outcomes in home haemodialysis. Nephrology. 2013;18 (Suppl 1):40.

Healthy diet and moderate alcohol linked with decreased risk of kidney disease in patients with diabetes

Eating a healthy diet and drinking a moderate amount of alcohol may be associated with decreased risk or progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a recently published study. Researchers in Canada observed the association of a healthy diet, alcohol, protein and sodium (salt) intake with the progression of CKD among 6,213 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients who consumed the healthiest diet had a lower risk of developing CKD and lower risk of dying during the course of the study compared with the patients who had the least healthy diet. Eating three or more servings of fruit per week and moderate alcohol intake (approximately five standard drinks per week) were both associated with a reduced risk of developing CKD. The authors concluded “A healthy diet and moderate intake of alcohol may decrease the incidence or progression of CKD among individuals with type 2 diabetes.”

Source: Dunkler D, et al. Diet and kidney disease in high-risk individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. JAMA Intern Med. 2013; doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.9051.

MEDICAL MATTERS –

Adaptive coping beneficial to people on home haemodialysis

INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT YOURKIDNEY HEALTH?

CALL THE KIDNEY HEALTHINFoRMATIoN SERVICE1800 454 363

Enjoyed a good read?Then do a good deed,When you get to the end, Please send to a friend!

WA’s Clarence “Steve” Claessen uses home haemodialysis

CoNSUMER CoRNER

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Know pathology know healthcare

National policy platform launchedKidney Health Australia recently launched its key election

policy document, ‘Tackling Kidney Disease: A national action plan to reduce Australia’s kidney disease burden’. The platform outlines six key areas for an incoming government to address so that we can better support those with kidney disease. Each of these areas outline in the platform provides a range of initiatives that are realistic, tangible and will improve the lives of those living with kidney disease.

The national action plan outlines the need to: • Introduce an integrated vascular health check in primary

care as a priority to help stem the tide of kidney disease; provide better support for our carers;

• Improve the live donation system; and focus on tackling kidney disease in Indigenous Australians.

• Better support those living with kidney disease through better awareness, education and support.

• Boost in research funding, so that it is proportional to the levels of spending in the health system on treating kidney disease.

Pathology – it’s a word that many Australians hear but few understand. With more than 12 million Australians learning more about their health through pathology in the past year, it’s time more people were aware of the life-saving role it plays.

When it comes to chronic kidney disease, doctors could not diagnose, treat and effectively manage the condition without pathology tests. To encourage more people to consider how pathology has helped them, a new campaign has been launched, supported by Kidney Health Australia. Know Healthcare Know Pathology uses real-life stories from patients, doctors and pathology staff to highlight the various ways pathology helps to improve the lives of millions of Australians.Pathology facts:• Approximately 70% of treatment decisions in developed

countries involve pathology .• Pathology enables the prevention or early diagnosis of many

serious and chronic diseases such as stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

• Pathology is involved in almost 100% of cancer diagnoses.By using the faces and stories of people who know and benefit

from pathology, this undervalued medical specialty becomes more than just white lab coats and microscopes. Kidney Health Australia member John Miseslowski is one such person – see his story at http://knowpathology.com.au/patient-stories/

To join us in supporting the campaign, visit www.knowpathology.com.au and sign up as a supporter. You will also have the chance to share your story and explain why Australia’s world-class pathology services are important to you and your family.

A win for NT dialysis travellers

Travel is a big issue for those on dialysis, especially for anyone living in remote and rural areas. In the NT, those seeking a reimbursement for their private travel to dialysis had to travel at least 200kms – one way – before they were eligible for financial assistance. When we consider that dialysis patients make on average 6 trips either to – or from – dialysis per week, they can amass a huge number of kilometres travelled per week, without becoming eligible for reimbursement support.

Kidney Health Australia has put in two formal submissions to the NT Government, advocating for the adoption of a ‘weekly’ kilometre figure instead of just a ‘one way’ measure, as this would better suit dialysis patients with their high frequency travel.

In August, the NT Government announced it would inject an extra $7.5 million per year into patient travel reimbursements, addressing many of the areas we have raised. Extra funding means:• The introduction a ‘weekly’ figure – meaning those who

travel 400km per week (rather than a per one way trip) will be eligible;

• An increase in the accommodation rates; and • An increase the reimbursement rates for travel, as well

as address a number of the specific issues we raised.

It’s a very positive result considering the budget constraints and will mean that many dialysis patients in the NT previously ineligible for assistance may now be.

For further information, see: http://health.nt.gov.au/Hospitals/Patient_Assistance_Travel_Scheme/index.aspx

Solution K is very excited with the recent news that they have signed an agreement Telkom Australia for the provision of call centre services using our Adelaide based contact centre. (Solution K is a full service contact centre, a commercial arm of Kidney Health Australia.) • Telkom Australia is part of the Telkom Group of subsidiaries

and is owned by Telkom International, whose majority shareholder is Telkom Indonesia – Indonesia’s largest telecommunications company. Telkom Indonesia has over 130 million customers and it is looking to expand its footprint in Australia through Telkom Australia.

• Telkom Australia was looking for an experienced, Australian

based contact centre partner and Solution K offered reliability, high performance and strong call centre capabilities.

• We believe the partnership is both unique and mutually beneficial because it provides Solution K with a strong alliance with a proven international organisation.

• Solution K and TA have already commenced work on business development opportunities and both organisations look forward to a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.If you would like more information on the services provided by Solution K, please give us a call on1800 454 363.

KHA Solution K

To read the National Action Plan, see: http://www.kidney.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=q7Tycmhu6D0%3d&tabid=846&mid=1962

KHA would like to thank and congratulate participants who took part in this year’s Big Red Kidney Walk. Events were hosted last September in Adelaide, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Toowoomba – with some independent community events held in Bateman’s Bay, Bathurst, Bega, Canberra, Darwin, Lilydale and Queanbeyan.

The Big Red Kidney Walk not only brought people together, it also raised awareness of the impact that kidney disease has on the community, and the need for improved support and research. Each event, although very different in size and location, turned red and looked amazing. Many families walked together, and it was especially gratifying to have so many members of the health sector joining in with their colleagues and friends in each city.

A very big thank you to those who volunteered their time or fundraised as part of the walk. Over $85,000 has been raised which will help support our important programs.

KHA has collated the many wonderful photos that were taken from the Big Red Kidney Walk events across Australia. Please visit this web link to view www.flickr.com/photos/101295874@N05/

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KIDNEY EVENTS

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Big Red Kidney Walk 2013

Baked lemon chicken

LIFESTYLE RECIPE

Looking for a tasty meal with great flavours? Why not try this hearty recipe that is CKD, Diabetes and Dialysis-friendly.

INGREDIENTS3 lemons¼ cup olive oil2 tbsp chopped parsley4 cloves garlicPepper to taste4 chicken drumsticks, skin removed4 chicken thighs, visible fat and skin removed

To SERVE:4 small peeled potatoes, boiled2 cups green beans, boiled2 cups sliced carrots, boiled

CKD, DIALYSIS AND DIABETES-FRIENDLY

Questions about this recipe? Email colette.lappin@kidney.org.au

Each serve of this recipe will provide:Baked lemon chicken pieces with 1 small potato (100g), ½ cup beans & ½ cup carrots2150kJ, 38g protein, 30g fat, 20g carbohydrate, 1050mg potassium, 380mg phosphate and 185mg sodium

METHoD1. Juice one lemon and thinly slice

the other two.2. Mix lemon juice, sliced lemons,

olive oil, parsley, garlic and pepper in a large shallow baking dish. Add chicken pieces to marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake chicken for approximately 45 minutes in a baking dish, or until brown and cooked through (baste with marinade at least once during cooking time).

4. For each person, serve 1 chicken drumstick, 1 chicken thigh, 1 potato and ½ cup each of green beans and carrots. Drizzle any cooked marinade from baking dish over meals.

SERVES 4

Recipe taken from ‘Dining In: Delicious Dialysis Recipes and Meals’ from the Renal Resource Centre

4-6 OctoberWESTERN AUSTRALIA KIDNEY KIDS CAPERS – ‘Kids only’ days including a range of fun and different activities each day. For more information, call 1800 454 363 or email kids@kidney.org.au

19 -20 OctoberQUEENSLAND KIDNEY KIDS CAPERS – Family Fun Day at Australia Zoo on oct 19 and a special ‘Kids only’ day at Dreamworld on oct 20! For more information, call 1800 454 363 or email kids@kidney.org.au

10 NovemberHoBART FREE GENERAL PUBLIC KIDNEY HEALTH FoRUM - Linking kidney health, heart health, blood pressure, stroke & diabetes. 10.30am-3.30pm, The Old Woolstore, 1 Macquarie St, Hobart. Free public event featuring presentations from leading medical professionals and educators. RSVP by Nov 1 by calling 1800 454 363, or email jo.fairbairn@kidney.org.au. See flyer for more information.

Proudly sponsored by Hare and Forbes Investment Limited, Medicare Local Tasmania and The Old Woolstore. Supported in community partnership by Stroke Foundation, Heart Foundation, Diabetes Tasmania, and Cancer Council Tasmania.

10 -17 November15TH HENRY GIBLETT ADULT HoLIDAY DIALYSIS PRoGRAM – South-West Busselton, WA. Consumers based in WA are invited to apply for this one week program at a holiday home for a break from their renal unit. Families who attend will have access to a temporary dialysis unit. Application packs available from Kidney Health Australia Perth, call 08 9381 9311 for more information.

Supporters out in force at Melbourne’s Big Red Kidney Walk