Press Release21 July 2015
Renal nurse Rochelle has X Factor to be face of kidneys
Apunipima renal nurse Rochelle Pitt is taking her expertise in kidney health to a new level as the official ambassador for Kidney Health Australia.
When Rochelle isn’t behind a microphone, she is busy seeing clients in Cape York, helping them to look after their kidney health and educating them about the most simple but important organs in their bodies.
In 2014, Rochelle, who is also a singer/songwriter, made it to the top eight in Channel 7’s X Factor and was dubbed the soul mamma of music on the reality television show because of her soul/jazz/blues style of music genre.
“As a renal nurse with Apunipima I’m able to help our people in the Cape and being a face for kidney health at the same time, is very exciting,” Rochelle said.
Despite relatively few early warning signs, Rochelle is always on the lookout to nip any precursors like high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes in the bud, to help steer patients away from the path of Chronic Kidney Disease.
In 2012-13, almost one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 18 years, had indicators of Chronic Kidney Disease. Indigenous Australians were likely to have signs of Chronic Kidney Disease, and four times more likely to have Stage 4-5 Chronic Kidney Disease than non-Indigenous Australians.
“The statistics are alarming with one in every three Australians at an increased risk of kidney disease,” she said. “Due to chronic disease in Cape York being so prevalent, our mob are at greater risk of developing kidney disease and if I can do my bit with Kidney Health Australia then it’s a step in the right direction.”
ENDS
Media contact: Kylie O’Brien 0439 269 288;
Apunipima Cape York Health Council LimitedACN 162 571 235
PO Box 12045, WESTCOURT QLD 4870 (186 McCoombe Street, Bungalow Cairns QLD 4870)
Phone: 07 4037 7100 • Fax 07 4038 4100 • Email: