Liz is stepping into Christmas with her new knees!
Recent knee surgery is not putting a dampener on the enthusiasm of Kidney Research UK trustee Liz Lightstone, who is joining our Step into Christmas challenge.
Liz, a professor of renal medicine at Imperial College, London, is walking 12,000 steps a day for 12 days to raise money for vital research and has already raised more than £9,000 in donations.
“I have been fortunate enough to have two completely new knees since August this year,” Liz said. “The old ones had crumbled and walking even short distances had become difficult.
“I'm now a few weeks post my second knee replacement and I can already see how wonderful it is to walk for pleasure again, with none of the old pain. I'm up to walking about 6,000 steps a day so it will be a real "step up" for me to get to 12,000 steps a day for at least 12 days in December.
“However, I am determined to do it as I'm passionate about the charity. It supports brilliant teams of doctors, researchers and nurses carrying out life-saving research that makes a difference to all those living with kidney disease.”
The mission to end kidney disease has never been so urgent as it is now, Liz added, having seen first-hand how kidney patients are at greater risk from Covid-19.
“Shielding only works so far and when patients have no choice but to travel frequently to a dialysis unit, it is unsurprising that there is a higher rate of infection in this group”.
“This has been devastating for families and units. Research to prevent kidney disease and make dialysis safer has never been more necessary.”
Having looked after kidney patients for the past 30 years, Liz knows how challenging it is to have any form of kidney disease and says she has seen how research has already transformed thousands of lives.
Support her challenge by visiting Liz's Just Giving page.
Step into Christmas is the new campaign by Kidney Research UK where we’re asking everyone to complete 12,000 steps for 12 days, host a Christmas quiz or join us on Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 11. Find out more and sign up to Step into Christmas today.
Imperial Renal (COVID) Research Forum are hosting an open forum on December 16, highlighting the Covid work they have carried out with kidney patients. Led by transplant nephrologist, Michelle Willicombe, the event is open to patients and public. Registration is free, but if attendees wish to donate to Kidney Research UK, they can do so via Liz’s Just Giving link. Register to attend here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ccVBxFC8Qq6cxR-9AZ0LhQ
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