Lizard News SEPTEMBER 2024
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Plea for living donor By Matthew Farrell n Ōmokoroa man suffering from late-stage kidney failure is appealing to the local community in the hope a living donor can be found to save his life. Truck driver Jase Saunders has about 8% kidney function and faces dialysis. “I have one kidney, and it’s worn out. The surgeons say I need a transplant to get better, otherwise, I must undergo dialysis,” says Jase. The problem first came to light after a medical in Australia in 1999. “I’ve been having problems for about 30 years. I might have been born like it; they don’t know. Essentially, one kidney has failed already, and the other has been operating at a reduced capacity and under strain for however long,” he says. Wife Fiona, who is herself very unwell, says Jase is suspected to be suffering from the kidney disease, nephritis. However, he has so little kidney capacity left that doctors can’t risk taking a biopsy sample to confirm.
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“He’s incredibly tired all the time and now faces the possibility of hours each week hooked up to treatment to clean his blood. Dialysis could prevent him from driving his beloved trucks and would take him away from us at home when we need him here,” says Fiona. Having a kidney from someone will save Jason’s life. People can live completely healthily with one normal kidney. But Jase can’t because of his condition. A donor’s kidney is removed, and after a few days in hospital, they recover at home. “One lady who donated a kidney to a co-worker told me she was up and about in two days. If you’ve ever thought of doing a huge thing to change a life, can I urge you to look into it?” asks Fiona. Jase and their children Jaymie and Bradie were all raised in Ōmokoroa, and Jase has worked for Taylor Bros Transport on and off for the past three decades. In the meantime, life gets a little harder every day and as the need for a transplant becomes imminent, the worry and sleeping get a little worse. If you can help Jason, call 021 0232 4513 or email jandfsaunders@xtra.co.nz
Happier times as Jason and Bradie celebrate Christmas. PHOTO: Supplied.
Call for Tralee crossing By Matthew Farrell pedestrian crossing appears likely at the intersection of Tralee Street and Hamurana Road, after Ōmokoroa Point School students presented safety concerns to Council. Driver awareness and compliance are regular problems at the T-intersection, which is a mandatory stop due to the entrance of CHT Acacia Park rest home immediately opposite. Traffic has increased in the past year due to the adjacent Village commercial development opening with various eateries and professional service businesses. Students Karli and Maia told councillors about an accident involving students in separate cars colliding at the intersection. Another had been knocked off their bike. They also presented councillors with traffic data they collected and say an increasing number are walking to school, or riding bikes or scooters, as part of a Feet First campaign. A District Council spokesperson says, “these students have been invited to work with the roading team to design a solution for our community. However, the nature and extent of that solution is yet to be determined.”
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Tralee Street meets Hamurana Road. PHOTO: Matthew Farrell.
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