Michala Banas ‘MY SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE’
The Mcleod’s Daughters star opens up about her childhood battle with a rare disease
At the age of six, actress Michala Banas had no idea she was “weeks away” from death. “I was born with a defect in my left kidney and it wasn’t discovered until I was six, so for six years I was very unwell and they couldn’t work out why – they just kept thinking I was getting infections,” the 42-yearold tells Woman’s Day. “But thanks to my parents and their instincts, they took me to get a second opinion and fortunately that doctor decided to get some scans done and check out my kidneys. I was immediately rushed into emergency surgery right then and there!”
Michala says she lost “most of my left kidney and part of my bladder” during the operation, adding that the doctor turned to her parents following the surgery and said if they had left it a few more weeks, she could have been dead.
“It was a life-saving operation and I’m so grateful it was found.”
The Mcleod’s Daughters star says she’s now “hyperaware” of her body and wants to bring attention to kidney-related disease – which claims the lives of 53 people every day – and as the ambassador for the Red Socks Appeal, the leading fundraising activity for Kidney Health Australia, she’s doing just that.
“It’s very close to my heart and is something that flies under the radar, too – you can lose 90 per cent of your kidney function before you get any symptoms, and then it’s too late, so it’s important to always get regular health checks,” she warns.
These days the actress, who is healthy and working with one fully functioning kidney, is busy performing on the Brisbane stage in Boy Swallows Universe. And while she’s happy treading the boards, Michala admits she’s also hoping to star in the
Mcleod’s Daughters reboot.
“I know they’re working on a feature film... I have no idea what that story is or who would be in it,” she says. “It’s a beautiful show. I’m really proud that I was a part of it, so if something was to happen and I got asked to be a part of it, I’d certainly be open to it.”
For more information on how to support the Red Socks Appeal, visit redsocksappeal.org.au