Patient Stories
My son Joseph is still waiting for a transplant
My son Joseph is still waiting for a transplant Blog post by Sara Turkentine 06 June 2022 I recently wrote to supporters of Kidney Research UK and shared my family’s story. I’m Sara, and my husband’s name is Matt. If you received the letter with our story in, you might remember that we were getting…
Read MoreFinding the rewards in volunteering
Finding the rewards in volunteering 30 May 2022 For the past two years, Sarah Gwalchmai has been shielding at home in Guilsfield, Wales. Finding it isolating, transplant recipient Sarah, who used to work in a garden centre, has turned to volunteering for Kidney Research UK – a role she says she finds incredibly rewarding. Now,…
Read MoreI’ve lost too many friends
I’ve lost too many friends 10 May 2022 Simon Elmore is lucky to be alive. The 46-year-old who lives near Derby, was first diagnosed with kidney failure 14 years ago, in May 2008, after a stressful period in his life. Since then, he’s battled a wealth of health problems, had a stroke, and even died…
Read MoreAccepting help was the best decision of my life
Accepting help was the best decision of my life 09 May 2022 Nikki Fretwell was just 17 years old when she was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Now, the 51 year old is thought to be one of the UK’s longest surviving dialysis patients, after more than three decades receiving the treatment. A full…
Read MoreFamily bond even stronger through kidney sharing scheme
Family bond even stronger through kidney sharing scheme 28 April 2022 Prafula Shah’s niece Shakti was born with only one kidney, which did not function at full capacity. Her family was told that at some point during her childhood she would need medical intervention in the form of dialysis or a transplant – and when…
Read MoreDonating to a two-year old stranger
Donating to a two-year old stranger 22 April 2022 Living organ donor Surinder Sapal first saw the kidney appeal for toddler Anaya Kandola while she was scrolling through Facebook. It was December 2018, and at the time, radiographer Surinder, from Wakefield, was finishing her Masters in breast imagery. She spotted the post, which had been…
Read MoreI feel the need to be worthy of my donor kidney
I feel the need to be worthy of my donor kidney 16 March 2022 Thomas Finan was just 14 years old when he was diagnosed with kidney disease. He had been having bad night sweats which initially were put down to hormonal changes. But thanks to his mother’s persistence, and a supportive GP, he was…
Read MoreLife turned upside down
Life turned upside down 15 March 2022 Kidney disease attacked Nicci Rimmer without warning and the fallout continues to affect her physically, mentally, financially and socially. She believes much more must be done to support and inform people faced with life-changing kidney disease and is backing Kidney Research UK’s call for all kidney patients to…
Read MoreA kidney diagnosis messes with your head
A kidney diagnosis messes with your head 07 March 2022 Coping with the pandemic has been hard enough for most people, but for Tracy Mead, it has meant coming to terms with her recent kidney disease diagnosis without the help of her usual support network. Tracy, 53, a cleaner from the west coast of Scotland,…
Read MoreMy renal counsellor gets me through
My renal counsellor gets me through 02 March 2022 Like so many other people, Alison Lawrence, 49, from Essex, had no idea she had kidney disease. Her condition, reflux nephropathy, was picked up by chance in her 20s after a health check at the gym showed she had high blood pressure. For just over two…
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