Kidney Health Australia rallies the community to raise funds with the Red Socks Run

The not-for-profit organisation, which moved its office to Southbank in July, is encouraging the community to run, walk or ride 60 km throughout October to raise funds for people living with kidney disease.

It’s estimated that more than two million Australians are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) – a condition that requires patients to spend an average of 60 hours per month hooked up to a dialysis machine to clean their blood.

According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, First Nations people and people living in low socioeconomic or remote areas are most vulnerable to the impacts of CKD.

There is currently no cure for the disease, and a shortage of dialysis units has been reported in regional areas of Australia. 

Those experiencing kidney failure, the most severe form of the disease which occurs when the kidneys can no longer function independently, face long waitlists for kidney donations.

Kidney Health Australia (KHA) supports individuals living with chronic kidney disease and the 31,000 Australians experiencing kidney failure by offering a kidney health helpline, assisting patients with locating dialysis units, holding weekend social camps for young people living with the disease, and conducting research into potential methods for self-managing CKD.

Other initiatives include the “Big Red Kidney Bus”, which provides free dialysis sessions to patients from Australia and New Zealand when visiting holiday parks at select locations across NSW and Victoria, meaning these individuals don’t have to miss out on taking holidays.

This October, KHA is encouraging local workplaces, businesses and community members to get involved with its Red Socks Run.

Registration is free and entrants can complete the 60km target at their own pace.

Each kilometre represents one of the 60 hours CKD patients spend in a dialysis chair each month.

The 2023 run raised more than $300,000 to fund research and treatments. •