Kidney Kids charity plans Hollywood trip of a lifetime for sufferers

A Mount Wellington organisation that helps children with kidney disease turns 21 this year – and is celebrating by taking 10 young people to Hollywood.

The four staff members of  Kidney Kids provide support to  1500 families around the country struggling with kidney disorders.

The non-profit charity, which celebrates its birthday in May,  strives to give children with  kidney disorders the best life possible and to educate New Zealanders on the early warning signs of kidney disease.

Kelleigh Forster, family support administrator, said they offer support through a range of services from information packs and newsletters to educational evenings.

Concerned parents contact Kidney for advice and to connect with other families for support.

The charity is holding a number of events throughout the year to celebrate its birthday as it is a great opportunity to increase public awareness.

“We are big on getting early warning signs out there,” she said.

“A lot of people who have kidney problems don’t know they have them until they are quite sick.”

In August, Kidney Kids will take a group of young adults to Los Angeles for a trip of a lifetime.

The team is busy planning the trip for 10 young people aged  16-21, who will spend a week visiting Disneyland, the stars in Hollywood and Universal Studios

The chosen group have to be well enough to enjoy the trip but have deteriorating conditions, which in time will prohibit them from going overseas.

To make this possible, they rely on sponsorship, donations, trusts and grants.

They were financial recipients of the recent Round the Bays and for the up-coming Entertainment Book.

The Lions Club is currently collecting tabs off cans for the Kan Tab project, where funds received from melting metal tabs is given to the charity.

Lending a hand with fundraising events is Kidney Kids’ mascot and former All Black Jonah Lomu. Lomu received a kidney transplant in 2004 after serious kidney issues.

Each year kids and young adults are flown up from all around the country for Kidney Camps which are free of charge to the families.

The camps offer similar activities at school camps but with four nurses and helpers on hand.