Hi, my name is Karlos Kleanthous and I am taking part in THE BRITISH 10K LONDON RUN on Sunday July 14th 2013 along with my brothers and friends who form Team Karlito
 
My Story begins with a long history of hospital visits from just months’ old, right through to my current adulthood. In that time I had gone through two kidney transplants and a long spell on a dialysis machine. But that has never stopped me from living my life to the full! This was not achieved without the support, skills and wisdom of the medical staff at the Royal Free Hospital. With a mention to Great Ormond Street Hospital, who had seen me through my childhood.

So I'm dedicating this run to show my massive gratitude to all hospitals and with a quote to my fellow transplanted and dialysis patients, that in life, ''You can do it, no matter what life brings!''. But I'm especially dedicating this run to the donors! Amongst them is my mum, who's generosity is beyond belief, just to better my life. Also, not to forget the ones who sadly passed on!

This is why I'm so dedicated to run this marathon! Remember guys, by just giving, you can somewhat feel like a real donor and give someone a healthy glow back! 
Please take a moment to sponsor me. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit or debit card.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Please join me in supporting Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients Association and a fabulous cause.

RFHKPA is a registered charity no.277711.  .

Thanks and best wishes,

 

KARLOS KLEANTHOUS, TEAM KARLITO
& THE RFHKPA 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

Our kidneys are vital and sophisticated organs.

 

They filter and clean 200 litres of blood per day. They remove wasters and excess water from our blood in the form of urine.

They help balance the levels of chemical substances in our bodies such as sodium, phosphorus and potassium. They also produce important hormones that stimulate bone marrow to make red blood cells; regulate our blood pressure; help keep our bones strong.

 

High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

 

500 million individuals worldwide are affected. If CKD worsens it can lead to kidney failure. In order to survive, people with severe kidney failure must either receive a transplanted kidney or be kept alive with dialysis, usually by a machine which cleans their blood about three times a week, each session lasting 4-5 hours.

A greater risk than kidney failure is that people with CKD may develop Cardiovascular diseases. People with CKD are 10 times more likely than healthy people, to die of heart attacks and strokes.

 

One out of 10 adults in the world has some form of kidney damage