Wear Red Socks for Kidney Health Australia

Good morning, everyone! 😊

By now, I'm sure you've all seen our little Auskick superstar, Ben and his mum Coach Lelsey on Channel 7 on Wednesday night. If you haven't, head over to our page and check it out!

As a club, we'd love to show our support for both Tyler and Ben. At our last home games, and at Auskick on the Sunday that weekend, we'll be holding a "Wear Red Socks for Kidney Health Australia" fundraiser. ❤️🧦

You can support our superstars by wearing red socks and making a gold coin donation.

We'll also have:

◦ 🌭 A sausage sizzle (gold coin donation)

◦ 🎁 A raffle with a couple of great hampers

◦ 🍬 Guess the number of jelly beans

It would mean the world to Tyler and Ben to see all their friends, families, and our amazing club community wearing their red socks and showing their support.

Thank you for helping us make this a special weekend! ❤️

A word from our Year 3/4 Coach and Auskick Coordinator Lesley Farrell,

Kidney disease is often called a silent killer because many people don't experience noticeable symptoms until their kidney function has fallen to just 10–20%. Early signs can include fatigue, memory problems, loss of appetite, and constantly feeling tired. When kidneys fail, the options are life-changing: dialysis, typically three times a week for around four hours each session, or a kidney transplant. While some people are fortunate enough to receive a kidney from a family member or friend, many spend years waiting for a suitable donor.

My 2 boys, Tyler and Ben, who both proudly play for Bullsbrook JFC, live with a rare genetic condition called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD). This condition occurs when both parents carry the faulty gene, giving each child a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting the disease. We were that 1 in 4 chance —twice.

Both my boys faced significant challenges early in life. Tyler was diagnosed at just two years old after developing a severe urinary tract infection. Ben was diagnosed at only five months of age and was also found to have high blood pressure, severe heart failure, and liver fibrosis.

Every morning and every night, they take medication to manage their blood pressure and help preserve their kidney function for as long as possible. Despite everything they have faced, Tyler and Ben continue to defy the odds. They are thriving, making the most of every opportunity, and doing what they love most—playing football with their teammates at Bullsbrook JFC.

Kidney Health Australia has been by our side from the very beginning. Their support, guidance, and resources have helped us navigate this journey and will continue to do so in the years ahead. They are there not only for our family, but for countless others facing the challenges of kidney disease.

By raising awareness and supporting Kidney Health Australia, we can help ensure that families like ours never have to face this journey alone.