- Category:
- Alumni
Honours and awards
2017 VIC Young Australian of the Year Finalist
About
Persevering against significant health issues and family tragedy, Grant Monks is a beacon of hope for people suffering from chronic illness around Australia.
Working for Kidney Health Australia, Grant is also a mentor for multiple chronic illness peer support groups, volunteers his time to support youth offenders and is an ambassador for the Alannah & Madeleine Foundation. It’s hard to believe that Grant has spent 15 hours each week for nearly 20 years hooked up to a dialysis machine.
Grant showed signs of kidney failure when he was a baby. By the time he turned seven, he was on track to receive one of his mother’s kidneys when his father, suffering from mental illness, murdered her. Grant’s remarkably resilient spirit has helped him through foster care, kidney transplants and many health setbacks. Despite the restrictiveness of dialysis, Grant remains unwaveringly positive.
His joy in living and his personal example of life achievements and community contribution motivates others to never give up.
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