Amber Williamson, Support Programs Manager at Kidney Health Australia, is a kidney transplant recipient of 14 years, and a mother of two.

Diagnosed at 19 years with kidney disease, by the age of 24 she had commenced dialysis. In 2002, Amber underwent Live Kidney Transplant, what she calls “a gift of life” from her father.

“It allowed me and my husband Stuart, to have two children post-transplant, fulfilling our lifelong dream of having a family,” Ms Williamson said.

She said she had a passion for patient advocacy and ensuring the patient voice is heard.

Dr Richard Baer is a nephrologist at Logan Hospital and is dual trained as a nephrologist and general physician.

He studied medicine at University of Queensland after completing a pharmacy degree.

He has since also completed a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine with James Cook University while learning interventional nephrology skills in Cairns for five years.

Apart from general nephrology, he has interests in interventional nephrology, medication management, e-health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

He visits Mater Private and Wesley Hospitals in Brisbane.

The event was organised by the North West Hospital and Health Service’s Chronic Disease Team.

Organiser, Renal Nurse Practitioner Michele Harvey, said they wanted to raise awareness of kidney disease, what causes it and the risk factors involved.

“We want people to know how to get a kidney health check and how to care for their kidneys to prevent future dialysis,” she said.

According to Kidney Health Australia one in 10 adults have reduced kidney function or other signs of chronic kidney disease, yet less than 10% of people are aware of it.

Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, followed by infections and high blood pressure.