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At the heart of the matter

November 16, 2015 admin

Thoughts from a PKD Researcher – Jackie Phillips, Macquarie University

How did I get here?

My introduction to PKD was through high blood pressure, my research area, and a chance discussion with a veterinary colleague who mentioned they had a strain of animals with what looked like PKD. I already knew kidney disease was linked to high blood pressure and so began my journey in 2005.

Fast forward 10 years and I have published 20 articles about PKD ranging from identifying a genetic mutation, anaemia, abnormal heart function, brain wiring to novel treatments for hypertension. Along the way I have met amazing researchers trying to work out how the gene mutations result in disease through to clinicians who’ve helped me understand treatment priorities.

PKD patients, top of my list

October 14, 2015 admin

Guest Post By Anne-Marie Desai
Renal Dietitian

This being my first blog, I thought I would tell you a bit about myself and why I signed up to provide to help PKD Australia. My first experience with PKD occurred when I was working in Boston, USA where I was fortunate enough to be working with a wonderful physician whose main research interest was PKD. Through this experience I met many inspirational patients living with PKD and realised that there was a whole subgroup of patients amongst the many people that I was seeing on dialysis.

Returning to Australia, and after a few years of working in paediatrics whilst my children were young, I have again returned to the renal world and now work with patients at all stages of the renal journey. Once again, I have found this subgroup of people with PKD who just get on with things despite the health issues they face. I know you shouldn’t pick favourites, but patients with PKD tend to be at the top of my list of people I enjoy working with.

So you may be wondering what a renal dietician actually does?

Myths about Organ and Tissue Donation

September 22, 2015 Tags: Facts, Myth Busters, PKD Facts admin

Fact: 1600 Australians are on transplant waiting lists
Fact: 44% of Australians have not made a decision about organ donation
Fact: 40% have not discussed their decision with loved ones

Research by the Organ and Tissue Authority reveals shows some common myths discouraging Australians from organs and tissue donation.

MYTH: It’s better to just let my family decide at the time
FACT: If you want to be an organ or tissue donor, please tell your family. The main reason families decline donation is because they don’t know what their loved one wanted.

MYTH: Organ and tissue donation is against my religion
FACT: Almost all religions support organ and tissue donation as an act of compassion and generosity. Donation processes can accommodate religious and cultural requirements.