Image: https://monashhealth.org/ The Big Red Kidney Bus is returning to BIG4 Batemans Bay Beach Resort, Batemans Bay from 17 February until 14 March. The bus enables people living with end-stage kidney disease to enjoy the beautiful local sights while receiving life-saving dialysis treatment. “The local community has been through tough times with the bushfires so we’re really glad we can bring the Bus back to town to support local business,” says Chris Forbes, Chief Executive Officer, Kidney Health Australia. “I’m pleased to say the bus is fully booked out for the month that we’re stationed here allowing 16 visitors with kidney disease and their families to enjoy the beautiful sights that Bateman’s Bay is renowned for,” Mr Forbes said. Mr Forbes said the Big Red Kidney Bus enabled nearly 180 people with kidney disease and their families to enjoy local tourism spots in NSW last year, with Bateman’s Bay proving the most popular destination. Mr Forbes said on average, dialysis patients need to have treatment for up to five hours at a time, three days a week which can severely limit their ability to travel too far from their home or local hospital. “Many of our community on dialysis have never had a holiday or been able to travel in years so the Bus gives them the opportunity to regain some of the freedom they had prior to their diagnosis and enjoy much needed holiday time with their families,” Mr Forbes said. “Thanks to our partnership with Royal North Shore Hospital, bus users in NSW are able to enjoy local sights while under the expert care of nursing staff.” The Big Red Kidney Bus has three seats on board and can treat up to six holidaymakers a day, equipped with headphone sockets and TV’s. With a bus in NSW and Victoria, people have the ability to travel to various popular holiday spots in both states throughout the year. The Big Red Kidney Bus is open to all Australians on hospital, satellite or home haemodialysis, with full admission criteria found on the Kidney Health Australia website at www.kidney.org.au/bus Kidney Health Australia is grateful for the continued generosity of individuals and organisations in the community whose generous donations help to run the Big Red Kidney Bus and other vital support programs for people with kidney disease. Donations to support the bus can be made at www.kidney.org.au/donate. For more information on the bus, the location it visits throughout the year, or booking a
familiarisation visit, call 1800 454 363 or email bigredkidneybus@kidney.org.au or visit
www.kidney.org.au/bus.
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