Matthew Brabham and Cranbourne MP Jude Perera launched World Kidney Day in Melbourne this month.JUDE Perera knows all too well the importance of kidney health.
The Cranbourne MP, who had a kidney transplant last year, joined 16-year-old racer Matthew Brabham to launch the World Kidney Health Day in Melbourne this month.
Matthew is the Young Ambassador for Kidney Health Australia and the grandson of famous Australian car racer Sir Jack Bradham, who is on dialysis.
Mr Perera said he had a new lease on life after he received a kidney from his cousin last year.
Fifty red balloons – to signify the number of people who die from kidney disease each day in Australia – were released during the official launch on 11 March.
The campaign message this year is ‘Protect Your Kidneys Control Diabetes’.
Kidney Health Australia chief executive Anne Wilson said the number of new type two diabetes patients who started dialysis increased five-fold between 1993 and 2007.
Matthew, who will race in the Melbourne Grand Prix, will display a small Kidney Health Australia red ‘K’ on his car in honour of his grandfather.
