Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page

Just over 10 years ago I wa diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called IgA. Initially on diagnosis the symptoms were not obvious but gradually over 10 years I became very Ill, resulting in a kidney function of just 3%. By this stage I couldn't make it through the day without sleeping, I had no appetite, I could only drink 500ml of fluid a day otherwise I couldn't breathe as my kidneys simply didn't work anymore. 

I started dialysis at 3%, which was a relief but gruelling on my body and time consuming at 3 sessions in hospital per week for over 4 hours a time. We decided to take the bull by the horns and I then started dialysis at home with the support of my family. This is a more gentle approach but still took 3 hours per session, 6 days a week.

In August 2017, I received an amazing call from the transplant team at Queen Alexandra Hospital to say they had a kidney for me.

That day has changed my life, and our life as a family. I can now eat what I want, drink what I want, and actually  function in daily life.

As a family, we are walking the London Bridges walk to raise money for Kidney Research, without their hard work my life would certainly be very different. The walk is 7 miles in length walking over 7 bridges.

We are walking this walk in memory of my amazing donor and their family and in honour of their selfless act in their passing. We are forever grateful.

Kidney research are continuing their hard work to find new ways to treat kidney disease. kidney transplant is part of treatment for kidney failure as there is no cure.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

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