My father, John Champion was diagnosed with polycystic kidneys in 1997 and suffered renal failure in January 1998 which required him to receive haemodialysis three times a week at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. After 18 months, Dad's sister Liz Pullinger was identified as a match for kidney transplant and in June 1999 (on Dad's birthday), Liz donated one of her kidneys, resulting in a huge improvement in Dad's life and enabling him to life a happy healthy life for a further 20 years!
Sadly in June 2019, Dad died - not from kidney failure but from an aggressive lymphoma.
The Six Counties Kidney Patients Association (SCKPA) is an amazing charity which supports renal patients through coming to terms with renal failure, through the challenges of haemodialysis and where possible with kidney transplants. John worked with the SCKPA committee for 15 years and was Chairman for 10 years.
I am running the Auckland Marathon in memory of Dad and with tremendous gratitude to Dad's sister Liz for her kidney donation and to the SCKPA who help so many kidney patients through difficult times.
