Will was diagnosed over the summer with Berger’s Disease and Henoch-Schonlein Purpura disorder, both of which are forms of chronic kidney disease. The diagnosis came as a complete shock to the family, after Will felt unwell, doctors discovered his kidneys had started to bleed which led to a stay at hospital and subsequent tests confirmed his diagnosis.

Living with a new reality

Both mum and son have had to adapt to the new reality of living with kidney disease. While Will’s condition is currently stable, he has had to make frequent visits to hospital whenever his kidneys begin to bleed as a result of contracting a mild cold or cough. More intensive treatment may be on the horizon if his kidneys going into failure.

Claire Smith, Will’s mum said: “Hearing that your son has been diagnosed with a serious and long-term condition like kidney disease is a particularly daunting experience. However, with the love and support of our family and friends, along with the dedication of medical professionals, Will and I are living each day to the full. Looking to the future, we don’t know what might happen. We hope that treatments have advanced by the time Will needs them. Supporting and raising money for Kidney Research UK is a step in the right direction in advancing future treatments and giving hope to thousands of kidney patients like Will.”

Will is currently at the very start of his journey with kidney disease. His conditions will continue to damage his kidneys throughout his life, potentially leading to dialysis and even transplant. There is no timescale on the level of deterioration and when or even if Will’s kidneys will fail. The family are hoping that investing in research now will deliver a significantly better future for Will.