Kidney Health Australia's longest running event, the Kidney Kar Rally, has returned for its 33rd year this month, starting out in Cairns in Far North Queensland on August 10 and reaching Dubbo in NSW's Central West on August 20.
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A field of 40 rally cars driven and designed by supporters of Kidney Health Australia will travel a total distance of 5040km to raise funds and awareness for Kidney Health Australia's Kids and Youth Programs, which helps children and young people deal with the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of kidney disease.
V8 Supercar ace and 2021 Bathurst 1000 winner, Lee Holdsworth, and Harry Bates, the reigning Australian Rally Champion, have signed on with Kidney Health Australia as ambassadors for the event.
Harry will join the rally on day one, driving the Biante sponsors car, with Lee dialling in to participants' events along the journey to encourage the drivers.
Over three decades, the rally has raised more than $15 million for Kids and Youth Programs, and the target this year is to lift that tally by another $400,000.
"We are thrilled to see the resumption of the Kidney Kar Rally. It is such a special event, and we can't wait to get out on the road and travel through Queensland and northern New South Wales, connecting with local towns and wider communities to raise funds for kids and young people with kidney disease," said Kidney Health Australia chief executive Chris Forbes.
Enormous challenges
"Kids with kidney disease face enormous challenges in dealing with the physical impact of treatment, as well as the emotional toll of coping with a lifelong chronic disease.
"Childhood and adolescence are challenging enough without the burden of kidney disease. Tragically, it's why one-third of young people lose their kidney transplant within three years of leaving paediatric renal care - and why we're determined to do more to support them through these important developmental years."
IN OTHER NEWS:
This year the Big Red Kidney Bus will accompany part of the rally, stopping in Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast and Dubbo to perform free health checks, promoting a key objective of Kidney Health Australia: to raise awareness of kidney disease, the link between Diabetes and Heart Disease with Kidney disease, and the importance of early detection.
Mr Forbes said: "There will be lots of activity, fun and fundraising initiatives across the 11 days of the rally, including community events with local artists, food and kids entertainment, as well as the free health checks. On behalf of the Kidney community and rally participants, we encourage the general public to join us along the way."
Kidney Disease facts
- Every day, an average of 63 people in Australia die with kidney-related disease - more than breast cancer, prostate cancer and road accidents
- People on dialysis spend on average 60 hours a month strapped to a machine to stay alive
- 1.7 million adults living in Australia are affected by kidney disease. Ninety per cent of kidney function can be lost without any symptoms - it is a silent killer
- One in three Australian adults are at increased risk of kidney disease
- 1.5 million people don't know they are living with early signs of kidney disease
Driving Awareness
Event ambassador Lee Holdsworth has come onboard to help drive awareness of kidney disease and the devastating impact it has on the lives of children and their families affected by it.
"Hopefully with all the events and excitement around it we can raise a lot of money for the kids," he said.
Biante Model Cars are the major Kidney Kar Rally sponsor in 2022, and owners Ken and Kath Downie are keen to meet the new teams and reunite with the drivers who have been so important in making the event such a success over the years.