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Kidney Research UK peer educator shortlisted for Asian Women of Achievement award

28 September 2020

A volunteer who supports Kidney Research UK’s awareness raising work has been shortlisted for a prestigious Asian Women of Achievement award.

Dr Kiran Sanghera has volunteered as a peer educator for Kidney Research UK for several years, and devotes her time in this role to finding opportunities within her Sikh and wider communities to raise awareness of kidney failure and the importance of organ donation. The shortage of donors in minority ethnic groups outstrips the numbers waiting for transplants, with people from BAME backgrounds making up 31% of those on the transplant waiting list, yet only 8% of those who are registered to donate.

Dr Kiran Sanghera
Dr Kiran Sanghera, peer educator, with parents.

The Asian Women of Achievement Awards celebrate multicultural Britain and the contribution of diverse cultures and talents to UK society. Kiran has been shortlisted in the social and humanitarian category

A psychiatrist by profession, Kiran approached Kidney Research UK a number of years ago, wanting to use her skills to spread the word about kidney disease, motivated by her father’s experience living with kidney failure and receiving a kidney transplant.

Since undergoing the charity’s accredited training, Kiran has snapped up opportunities to reach out to the Asian community and share information about kidney health and the organ donation register. She has represented the charity at Gurdwara events attended by thousands, has spoken at the Houses of Parliament and been interviewed on the BBC Asian Network and Sangat TV.

Kiran said: ‘I am excited and humbled to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Asian Women of Achievement Awards! I am honoured to be featured alongside some incredibly hardworking, passionate and inspirational Asian women.’

Kidney Research UK’s health equalities programme manager, Neerja Jain, supported Kiran’s nomination for the award. She said: “Kidney Research UK is reliant on the tireless passion and valuable time that volunteers like Kiran provide.  The combination of Kiran’s personal experience, medical knowledge, and being of South Asian descent, makes her well placed to tackle issues around organ donation and kidney disease sensitively  and effectively, using  her voice to help us access the Asian communities and help save lives.

‘We are very proud that Kiran has been shortlisted. She is a worthy candidate for this prestigious accolade.’

The awards take place at a virtual event at 7.30pm tonight (Monday 28 September). You can register to join here.

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