Big Jim’s Fundraiser
A special fundraiser will take place on Saturday 1st July at the Doltone House’s Darling Island Wharf location for former Football NSW Match Commissioner “Big” Jim Prodanovich
“Big” Jim was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000 and after being subscribed the wrong medication, over a period of 6 months, had severe side effects.
Long story short, it rapidly caused kidney failure, which resulted in “Big” Jim being hospitalized for 3 months, and on and off for over 12 months.
Jim’s immune system slowly started to deteriorate, and for those of you who may know him, would know he no longer was that “Big Jim” everybody used to know.
Having diabetes, and less than 10% kidney function meant big Jim had to visit the hospital every second day, to do renal dialysis, and every day for the rest of his life.
When your kidneys fail, dialysis keeps your body in balance by, removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body, keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate helping to control the blood pressure. This however is a massive strain on the human body.
Due to the server cause of kidney failure, and diabetes, Big Jim developed cardiovascular disease. Shortly after, Coronary artery disease was developed due to lack of blood flow and more recently then not, Calciphylaxis.
Calciphylaxis is a condition characterized by necrios (Cellular death) of the skin and fatty tissue. It is seen mainly in patients with end stage kidney disease. Calciphylaxis affects all blood vessels, deep in the skin, resulting in spreading skin necrosis (tissue death) which slowly meant big Jim had restricted blood flow to his arms and legs.
Big Jim became an amputee soon after.
In 2011 he lost his left leg below the knee. Despite losing a limb, Jim remained in high spirits, and fought on.
For those of you who know him, would know what kind of a fighter he is, and he wouldn’t let it get the better of him. He lives by the saying…there is always someone out there, who is worse off than he is.
In 2013, he slowly started losing fingers.
The hospital soon became his second home, and despite being in the renal ward, more than he spent time at home, he remained positive.
In 2016 “Big Jim” unfortunately lost his right leg, which meant he would be unable to walk.
Unable to live the life he once could.
He is now, in a wheelchair, and making the most of life, and living to tell his story.
It has now been 8 years where “Big Jim” has not been able to work.
He attends the hospital, every second day, and on his days off is visiting all his different doctors.
This however has not stopped his outgoing, sociable, positive personality.
Big Jim’s family are holding a fundraiser with proceeds going towards his medical expenses, to help make his life, a smidgen of how it once was. One such gift that was generously donated to Jim by 1974 Socceroos coach Rale Rasic was that of a 1974 Socceroos jersey, a wonderful thought by one of Australia’s all-time greats.
TICKET PRICE: $130 Per Person (Includes 3 Course Meal – beer wine and soft drinks)
RSVP: 10th June
Date: Saturday 1st July
Dress Code: Cocktail
Location: Doltone House & Darling Island Wharf – 48 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (Opposite Star City Casino)
Please call Daniella Prodanovich on 0410 786 156 or email Daniella.prodan@outlook.com.
Account details:
BSB: 082 276 and Account No: 868095198 Reference First Initial and Surname x how many tickets
