Could you ever give up something for the rest of your life, even if its something so small as a chocolate bar? Sadly most kidney patients are not allowed to eat chocolate at any time along with a long list of other food restrictions. 

Diagnosed with kidney failure at aged 32, my Chachiji (Auntie) had to say no to many food items including her favorite Cadburys Wispa chocolate bar. She sadly passed away this year. Reflecting on the years she suffered and sacrifices she made, for me, giving up chocolate for a month does not even compare. Without my Aunt making life long sacrifices, receiving a kidney transplant and going on dialysis, me and my family wouldn't have got the extra 20years we did with her. 

I remember the amount of times I used to bring baked goodies over for my aunt and cousins, and she had to say no every time but still happily watched us enjoy them. She was such a selfless person who gave up so much but never complained or portrayed her suffering. 

Kidney disease can happen at any time. When patients living with kidney failure choose to forgo dialysis, their longevity depends on the amount of kidney function they have. Some are very fortunate to get a transplant.  A living donor kidney functions, on average, 12 to 20 years, and a deceased donor kidney from 8 to 12 years. 

There are two kinds of dialysis. In hemodialysis (going in to hospital usually 3 times a week for 4hrs +), blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine, and returned to your body by tubes that connect you to the machine. In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter (usually 40min + fluid change 4 times a day).  

I will be saying NO to chocolate bars, chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, chocolate ice-cream & anything containing chocolate (including white and dark chocolate) so please support me in this wonderful cause and help raise money to aid all the kidney patients out there.