Dennis Bucknell - NSW Consumer Participation Committee member and kidney carer, Denis is relentless in his pursuits for better conditions for those affected by kidney disease. His passions are to see better recognition and support for carers, and financial support and subsidies for those travelling the disease to and from dialysis units three times per week for their life saving treatment (particularly those in rural and regional areas.
Melissa Darnley - NSW Consumer Participation Committee never lets having the life-changing diagnosis of chronic kidney disease get in her way. She is an active member of the kidney community and a friend to many, using her far-reaching kidney ‘internet buddies’ to link up with other with CKD. Melissa was a home ‘dialyser’ (a term she prefers to ‘patient’) until recently receiving a kidney transplant. Between working part-time, being a ‘samba blissta’ in a dance band and a shoulder to lean for others, she has lovingly put together a collection of stories from people with kidney problems and their families of how they live well with kidney disease entitled ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – personal accounts of people living with kidney failure.’ In addition to her many achievements, Melissa also contributes to the kidney community through membership of the KHA Home Dialysis Advisory Group.
Jacqui Devlin - KHA CPC Representative NSW has made an outstanding contribution to those affected by kidney disease. She has managed the NSW arm of the Dialysis Escape Line, coordinating day trips and holidays away for dialysis patients and their partners. Jacqui has always been available to speak at the NSW Consumer Forums, always presenting a positive outlook. Her fundraising efforts are never ending.
Evan Eggins - Chair, NSW Consumer Participation Committee and NSW representative on the Kidney Health Australia National CPC, a member of the Kidney Check Australia Taskforce and Dialysis Nephrology Transplant (DNT) Committee, Evan works tirelessly to improve the life of people affected by kidney disease. Along with his work within the various committees, Evan is a regular presenter for groups such as Rotary.
Karissa Freestone - New England Health/Wansey Centre tirelessly works as a renal social worker, but recently has gone above and beyond in her role. She facilitates carers/patient support groups providing invaluable information for people affected by kidney disease. She is heavily involved with the Hunter and Northern Kidney Association (HANKA) to provide them with knowledge and sharing her skills. She is the only renal social worker in NSW to put advance care plans into place. Most recently, she began running an adjustment program to provide patients with support and comfort with moving forward with their treatment.
Bill Handke - CPC Representative ACT cares for his wife Jenny who has kidney disease, which has meant she needs to be dialyzed regularly and eventually will need a kidney transplant. Since his retirement from the Commonwealth public service, Bill has been a tireless advocate for improved arrangements for those with kidney disease and also for organ donor awareness. Bill is an active member of the Consumer Participation Committee. He makes things happen, having an innate ability to grasp the root of the problem and find a solution. His efforts in lobbying politicians to improve conditions for people affected by kidney disease, are tireless. He is a member of the Board for Gift of Life, the peak body for organ donor awareness in the ACT and surrounding districts.
David Parker - Chair of KHA's National Consumer Participation Council an active member of the kidney community who works tirelessly in the ACT to improve kidney health awareness. Not only is David the Chair for the National Consumer Council, but he is also the Chair for ACT Consumer Participation Committee, balancing his duties with his work as public servant. He recently received a kidney transplant and continues to strive toward improvement in conditions for those affected by kidney disease.
Margie Raynor - Marathon cyclist and one Kidney Health Australia's significant fundraisers is an Adelaide school teacher who was awarded her KHA 'Angel' status in 2009, in recognition of her extensive efforts to to see kidney disease bought to the fore since first cycling for kidney disease across the Nullarbor in 2005. Since then she has cycled over 33,000 kilometres around Australia - she has done three Nullarbor crossings in total, cycled around Australia, and then cycled from Adelaide to Darwin. Along her way she visits schools and community groups to highlight the need for optimal kidney health and save Australia millions of dollars in rising health costs.See her Renal Ride website for more details.
With this experience in hand, Margie will in 2010, cycle from Adelaide to Sydney via Canberra, in yet another epic solo journey. Margie's Renal Ride Sydney 2010 is a continuation of her fight to see the 2 million Australians who are currently unaware that they have kidney disease avoid costly dialysis, a long wait for a transplant or even death. She believes that she will be the first person to cycle around and across Australia both vertically and horizontally. Read more on Margie's fantastic fundraising adventures at our Fundraising Events webpage.
Brad Rossiter - KHA CPC Representative NSW is the founding member of the Eurobodalla Renal Support Group. Despite many health setbacks, Brad works tirelessly in his local community creating awareness of chronic kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation. Recently Brad received an award from Gift of Life Incorporated for his efforts in the promotion of organ donation awareness.
Betty Walsh - Full time carer in Tasmania for her husband Theo, who depends on Betty due to his ill health. For many years, Betty has travelled to the Burnie Renal Unit at least three times a week. Betty is hugely supportive of all the patients and cares and carers at the unit and contributes enormously in so many ways, including participation in our annual Kidney Health Week activities and is an active member of the Burnie Renal Support Group.
Updated 1 June 2010