By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
VAJIRA Ekanayake doesn’t believe in resting idle as he awaits a kidney transplant.
The devout vegetarian, non-smoker and teetotaller works the phone as a volunteer for groups such as Red Cross, Save The Children and Lions.
This is a snapshot of his daily dose of three to four hours of volunteer work.
He also plants trees at Dandenong Showgrounds, serves food at the charity Cornerstone, delivers Neighbourhood Watch newsletters and organises Christmas carols at Monash Medical Centre and free medical advice seminars at Springvale Town Hall.
“I don’t think about my illness. I just do it,” Mr Ekanayake says. “I’m a man born to help others.”
Recently, Mr Ekanayake was awarded an Operation Angel Award by Kidney Health Australia – one of 33 national recipients.
It was in recognition of his community work while also bearing chronic kidney disease, which kills more than 50 Australians a day.
Mr Ekanayake, who had a triple heart bypass in 2008, has been on medication for his failing kidneys for nine years. In the past six months, his kidneys have deteriorated further. He travels from his Noble Park North home to Burwood for dialysis treatment three times a week.
He is undergoing medical tests to determine if he’s fit for a transplant. “I’m not fazed by these sort of things. Getting heart problems is common. I always advise people not to drink and have a vegetarian diet.”
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Follow the Greater Dandenong Weekly on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
