The KHAOS Youth project is an innovative program initiated by Kidney Health Australia. KHAOS encourages 12-25 year olds to participate in positive social and physical interaction with health professionals and other youths with kidney disease, a kidney transplant, or awaiting a transplant. Sport and/or music opportunities and a physical fitness program are provided to encourage our youths to remain fit and healthy enough to remain on the transplant waiting list and/or retain the long term success of existing transplants. Potential living donors are also encouraged to participate to reach healthy weight range and physical fitness necessary to donate.

The KHAOS Youth program addresses both mental and physical health and is led by Dr Jonathan Lacey of Kidney Health Australia with support from West Australian nephrologists and transplant surgeons. A research project is being undertaken as part of the program with the effect of an unstructured exercise program on the quality of life of 12-25 year olds with chronic kidney disease being the primary objective and assessment of the effect of this exercise program on quality of life scored with the KDQOL (a quality of life questionnaire validated in dialysis populations), boichemical parameters, fluid volume status and fat free mass. This study is a non-biochemical, unblended study. Early results indicate quality of time spent on dialysis may also be improved. Mental health outcomes are showing positive results and the opportunity to participate in the program has seen the break down of some barriers encountered with doctor-patient relationships, in praticular with youths.