If you see a big red bus on the streets of the Gold Coast you can know it's a life-saver.
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Queensland now has its first kidney dialysis bus to provide treatment to Gold Coasters and visitors - and it's thanks to the determination of Lions Club of Robina members who raised more than $250,000 for the project.
The Big Red Kidney Bus provides dialysis in the community as well as teaching people how to do their renal treatment at home. It is a joint initiative of Queensland Health, Gold Coast Health, Kidney Health Australia and the Lions Club of Robina
![Members of Robina Lions Club and Lions district governor Ian Bruning (fourth from left) with the Big Red Kidney Bus. Members of Robina Lions Club and Lions district governor Ian Bruning (fourth from left) with the Big Red Kidney Bus.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/zFAiTDuEg3GdzaaJJ3MGNK/1fbcb25f-b18b-4d9c-bd46-74a13437dcfc.jpg/r0_260_2048_1689_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The bus has two dialysis chairs for home haemodialysis training and one for respite, an access ramp, kitchenette, and individual entertainment units.
"We're ecstatic that all the work to fund the bus has come to fruition," said Lions club secretary Vicky Clark.
Club members began fundraising in 2018. They have held raffles, trivia nights, barbecues and other events and also been helped by other Lions clubs and Lions International.
Each week, more than 250 people receive renal dialysis at Gold Coast Health facilities. The new mobile dialysis service brings this life-saving treatment and education closer to their home.
"We know that the number of people requiring haemodialysis on the Gold Coast is growing each year, and going to a hospital for every treatment, three days a week, can be a huge imposition on their lives," said Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
Kidney Health Australia chief executive Chris Forbes said the mobile dialysis program is much loved by the kidney community "as it gives them the freedom to move beyond their treating clinic and visit other parts of Australia - a freedom so many of us take for granted".
"It also gives families and carers the flexibility to go on extended holidays while their loved one is provided first-class medical care for free, at the holiday destination," he said.
The state government is providing $1.6 million for the project," he said.
- Lions Club of Robina meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays - 0400-147-660, robinalionsclub@hotmail.com
- kidney.org.au, 1300-454-363.