During an afternoon of food, entertainment and fundraising, the guests learnt what amazing organs kidneys are, what happens when they go wrong and why research is vital to save lives.

Entertainment was provided by the Gourock Rock Choir and Inis Fada.

Kidney disease’s impact in Scotland

Just over 3 per cent of people in Scotland are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and over 400 people in Scotland are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Funding research that will improve the lives of patients and their families is more urgent than ever.

“We want to see lives free from kidney disease,” said Sandra Currie, chief executive at Kidney Research UK. “That’s why we’ve invested around £80 million into renal research in the UK since 1985, including £12.4 million into Scotland alone. But the pathway through research to cure is long. It’s a step at a time, and each and every step needs funding.

“I am delighted that today so many women came out to this special event on a day where the weather was a bit challenging! We’ve had great entertainment and the buzz and fun of the afternoon made the atmosphere in the room amazing. I was overwhelmed by how engaged everyone was by the time they left, and we’ve had lots of requests to make this an annual event.”

The patient voice, and the difference research can make

Kidney transplant patient Elaine Sherlock explained how nine people in her family, several of them also at the lunch, have had kidney transplants. The lives of so many people in her family had been affected by kidney disease, and family members had even donated kidneys to one another. She spoke about the difference research developments have made to her family, especially around transplantation.

Louise Paton, mother to four-year-old Daniel, gave an emotional talk about how Daniel’s kidney failure was discovered during her pregnancy, and described the many treatments and surgeries he has had to go through in just a couple of years.

Kidney Research UK funded scientist Dr Laura Denby from Edinburgh University explained how kidneys work, how her work is helping us understand what causes scarring in the kidneys, and how it leads to kidney failure. She described the difference research can make to the lives of patients and their families.

Sharon Sheridan, Kidney Research UK fundraising manager in Scotland, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day, with all these women coming together and learning about kidney disease, meeting kidney patients and families, and discovering why the kidney research journey is so important. It’s been amazing to bring news of Kidney Research UK’s work to a new audience.”

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