Susanna Freymark
Kayne Blasche has been living with a kidney disease for 23 years.
He was born with hypoplastic kidneys which means his kidneys did not develop while he was in the womb.
He said he has Stage 2 kidney disease and controls it with medication.
Kayne is an automobile spray painter in Casino. He says he doesn’t want to be defined by his disease and he lives life as normally as possible.
”Diet is a big thing,” Kayne said.
“I can’t have high sodium food or processed meats.”
A high sodium (salt) diet makes your kidneys over work, Kayne said.
Exercise is important for Kayne too.
”All I’m doing is keeping my kidneys healthy,” he said.
His mother Michelle Simmons-Blasche said from a very young age, Kayne travelled with the family to Brisbane every six months to see doctors and kidney specialists and have regular monitoring.
“In 2022, after transferring to a specialist in Lismore, he was diagnosed with Stage 2 chronic kidney disease,” she said.
“Despite everything he has faced, he has never allowed kidney disease to define him or stop him from living his life.”
Part of living a full life is running 500km with the Red Socks Challenge raising money for Kidney Australia for disease research and for people who need dialysis.
Kayne has done the 500km run before and he raised $1100. He’s doing it again and is taking donations here.
Kayne said he takes every day as it comes.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing – I’ll be fine.”
“He has learnt to look after his health by staying active, watching his diet, reducing his sodium intake and staying well hydrated. He knows kidney disease is something he will have to think about throughout his life, but he refuses to let it hold him back,” Michelle said.
”He also wants people to understand that kidney disease can affect people who may look completely healthy. Many people don’t realise they have kidney disease until it has progressed, which is one of the reasons he felt so strongly about sharing his story.”
Kayne said kidneys act as a filter in our bodies.
”You don’t know your kidneys are failing until the last 10%.”
It’s a reason to keep running and to keep eating well.
Make a donation here to the Red Socks Challenge here.