Hello, this is me - Jacob, I am 9 years old.  I have stage 4 chronic kidney disease..... my kidneys are both failing and mum and dad have been told that I will need a transplant. 

I was born at 36 weeks and seemed to be a healthy baby.

When I was a year old I contracted pneumonia, whilst in hospital it was discovered that I was leaking blood & protein in my waters.  I'm lucky that this was discovered because tests showed that my kidneys only had 60% function.

After years of many seeing my consultant and undergoing many horrible blood & kidney function tests (which made me cry  ), a kidney biopsy diagnosed that both my kidneys were damaged.

I have daily medication.  This gives me side effects but mum says I am coping well.  Last year I caught a tummy bug which made me sick, I became so ill that I had kidney failure, this has damaged my kidneys even further, they now have 48% function      .

Whilst I was at hospital undergoing my kidney biopsy I saw many children who were very poorly with kidney disease.  A  little girl about my sisters age (2) had been there for months and was waiting for a transplant.  There was another little boy who was about 3, I didn't see anyone come to visit him.  He had been in hospital for a long time

Mum says that donating through this site (no matter how small) is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research Aid Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please if you want make a donation that will help the lives of so many babies and children just like me , it would be very much appreciated.  Mummy & Daddy are hoping that a cure may be found.  No one really seems to know why my kidneys are poorly, I have just had more tests done at Great Ormond Street Hospital which indicate that I may have further problems in a few years time..... I hope not