Big donation sees second mobile dialysis bus cater to Aussies in popular holiday spots
A second kidney bus will eventually be added to Kidney Health Australia‘s fleet thanks to a huge $150,000 fundraising effort.
The Rotary Club of Croydon has committed to raising the funds which will be enough to refurbish a donated bus.
The bus will be fitted with mobile dialysis equipment and travel around Australia – allowing those who rely on dialysis to plan their holidays in places where the bus will be operating.
Kidney Health Australia CEO Anne Wilson says the first kidney bus has been operating for a year and has given thousands the freedom to travel and holiday in places where they wouldn’t normally have access to dialysis machines.
“With a second bus now in the planning we will consider expanding the reach of the service to other states,” she says.
“We are immensely grateful to the Rotary Club of Croydon for its commitment to this excellent project.”
Rotary Club of Croydon president Richard Gilham says people who rely on dialysis can’t just book themselves into any clinic wherever they chose to take a holiday, as they are often fully booked.
He is hopeful other Rotary clubs around Australia will get involved, allowing a full-size fleet to be purchased that can do the rounds in all Australian states.
Haemodialysis patient Helen Williams from Castella in regional Victoria says the bus is a godsend.
“I have never been able to do this in summer, as a dialysis chair is not available at most of the public hospitals,” she says.
“As I live in the bush, we do not go to the beach very often and it was a joy.”