The 2007 financial year at Kidney Health Australia represented another year of progress and consolidation of our work on behalf of those with, and at risk of, developing kidney disease. Our health and medical programs and services continued to deliver support to more Australians than ever before. Increased levels of marketing and communications to the Australian public at large generated exceptional levels of media coverage, raising awareness and attracting opportunities for investment from new partners.
In July 2007, Kidney Health Australia – together with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology – ran Australia’s first ever International Chronic Kidney Disease Summit aimed at influencing the development of health policy from the kidney perspective. This highly successful two-day event has resulted in new developments at the Australian Government level that will, over time, translate into policy initiatives for the benefit of kidney stakeholders nationally.
From an operations perspective, our financial result was disappointing, due primarily to a failed technology upgrade in our call centre that necessitated the deferral of new business development into 2008. Despite this, the organisation delivered a strong trading surplus before allocating $970,000 to kidney research.
Much has been achieved over the past five years in raising the profile of kidney disease and our organisation, and in efforts to raise much-needed funds to underpin service delivery. The latter continues to be a major challenge within Australia’s crowded charitable marketplace, necessitating collaboration and creativity in public awareness efforts in order to gain traction with our target market.
We could not undertake our work without the loyal support of our major partners. Amgen continues its role as a major corporate partner, while Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genzyme and other pharmaceutical companies support many of our medical and research initiatives. Other major partners include BHP Billiton and the Australian Government, for the first time in 2007. This support, together with the support of Australia’s philanthropic trusts, foundations, loyal supporters and members, enables our work to continue.
Kidney Health Australia staff and consultants have worked tirelessly to achieve our business goals. I thank the team of 2007 for your efforts in all areas and welcome new staff in marketing, finance, health, medical and customer operations. Particular thanks go to the Kidney Health Australia Senior Management Team for your passion, loyalty and tenacity in tough times.
Finally, on behalf of all staff, I express my gratitude to the Board of Kidney Health Australia led by our Chair, Professor Villis Marshall AC. Your guidance, passion and commitment to the organisation, marked by your support for the 2007 Matching Gifts Challenge, is inspiring and has been instrumental in making a difference to the lives of Australians at risk of, or affected by, kidney disease.