Volunteer for KSN

Volunteer and make a difference! It’s always important to choose a volunteer role that’s a good fit for you. Here are a few questions to consider:

• Why volunteer?

• Is helping kidney patients a cause I feel passionate about?

• Are there particular skills or knowledge that I can contribute?

• Does the location make a difference?

• How much time can I commit?

Kidney Support Network has an ongoing need for volunteers from all walks of life who have a broad range of skills and experience, who care about people and having a positive impact on the lives of those affected by kidney disease. We are proud of our volunteers who are compassionate, determined, resilient and committed to promoting kidney health in the wider community.

• Listen to kidney patients

• Refer patients to relevant services

• Help in KSN Op Shops

• Guide patients and families to relevant support and people to talk to

• Investigate, with KSN Management, problems faced by patients such as transportation, accommodation and appointments

• Support carers with information on support groups such as the Childhood Kidney Support Network and Awesome Kidney Kids Programs

• Offer support within the hospital setting (visits)

• Research support possibilities for patients and carers (for KSN Facebook, website and newsletters)

• Transport patients to appointments and dialysis (some areas)

• Administration tasks in KSN offices

We welcome enquiries and are confident that being a part of Kidney Support Network will greatly enhance your experience in life by being involved in your community and creating and sustaining new friendships in a caring and supportive environment.

Call 1800 358 797 or email operationsmanager@ksn.org.au to discuss volunteering opportunities.

Become a Member

Membership contributions go towards funding patient support activities, as well as building resources to assist patients and their families.

• Supporting our dialysis transport services to help renal patients get to and from hospital

• Providing support line/friendly calls and support groups

• Providing education about healthy lifestyle choices

• Creating, printing and distributing newsletters to keep patients updated with the latest health information

• Building our library of patient care brochures, information and resources

• and much more…

Membership is open to individuals, Families and organisations who are concerned with or affected by issues relating to kidney disease and kidney transplants.

Kidney Support Network membership is $20/year

Becoming a member gives you the following entitlements:

• Patients and carers support groups

• Newsletters

• Dietary and medical tips

• Advice on new developments and events related to kidney disease or transplantation

• Access to our library and equipment loan services

• Special events and gatherings

• Volunteer opportunities

• Hospital renal unit support

• Advocacy

Choose one of three simple ways to join KSN today!

Apply online

Complete our online membership application.

Download and print form

Download and print the KSN PDF membership form and post to:

Kidney Support Network
PO Box 6657
West Mackay QLD 4740

Apply via phone

Contact 1800 358 796 and your application for membership will be processed immediately.

All information submitted is kept secure and confidential.

KSN Op Shops are entirely staffed by volunteers. New volunteers are always needed and are warmly welcomed. If you have some spare time, why don’t you call into one of our Op shops and have a chat with us about KSN volunteering opportunities.

Leave a bequest

Sponsor KSN

The Kidney Support Network Incorporated (KSN) is a Not-for-Profit Registered Charity, providing quality support services to people living with Kidney Disease and their families and cares. We do not receive any Government funding and rely entirely on private donations, grants, membership fees and revenue from our four Opportunity Shops. 

There is no cure for Kidney Disease… only treatment.

Most of our clients undergo lifesaving Hemodialysis at a Hospital Renal Unit – 3 times per week, every week (and each session can last up to 5 hours, plus travel time). Other people with Kidney Disease or renal failure, may be at pre-dialysis stage and on a strict diet with medication; or conducting nightly Peritoneal Dialysis at home for up to 8 hours whilst sleeping, so that they can work or go to school during the day.

If someone is fortunate to receive a Kidney Transplant, they need to take anti-rejection medications for the rest of their life, which may cause other health implications. A transplant is not a cure; the estimated lifespan of a transplanted kidney is 10-15 years, longer if the kidney is from a living donor. If a child has Kidney Disease, they may need several kidney transplants during their lifetime

KSN operates from Regional offices in Mackay and the Sunshine Coast which has several active Patient Support Groups, including the Central Queensland (Rockhampton and Gladstone) and Mackay and the special Childhood Kidney Support Network Program in Brisbane. Young children unfortunately can also suffer from kidney failure or kidney disease.

The Childhood Kidney Support Network provides support and programs for families who have a child with Kidney Disease. Programs include – parent support, Facebook Chat Forum, resources and information, Awesome Kidney Kids programs and activities. Our Kidney Kids range in age from newborns to young adults.

KSN Members and Kidney Patients receive newsletters, dietary and medical tips, advice on new developments in renal medical research and we have an active Facebook Community. We have recently updated our KSN website with more resources, information and article

Donate & Sponsor Today

Please email to Operations Manager

operationsmanager@ksn.org.au

Mob: 0428 877 028