Hi there

My kidneys failed back in 2004, I was on dialysis for a couple of years & was then lucky enough to receive a donor kidney. This improved my life considerably & I am immensely grateful to my donor & her family

However, it isn't always easy living with chronic kidney disease & having it impacts not only on the individual but also on their family & friends

It wasn't until I lost the use of my kidneys that I began to realise how much they control to keep your body healthy & the consequences of them not working as efficiently as they should. There's a lot to try & understand, many impacts on lifestyle & everything you choose to do has to be carefully considered. This is the case for everyone from diagnosis to end of life whatever their treatment route

The National Kidney Federation (NKF) is run by kidney patients to support kidney patients and their families. It runs a free UK Helpline dedicated to kidney patients with two fully trained, experienced advisers providing a 5-day-per-week service to kidney patients, carers and healthcare professionals and Renal Units. The NKF Helpline is also the UK's largest provider of kidney-related medical information leaflets with a library of over 200 titles written by nephrologists in simple language for patients and carers.

That is why I want to support the NKF & am walking 72,208 steps in the NKF Best Foot Forward Challenge for April 2026 (the number of steps representing the number of people in the UK being treated for end stage renal failure)

Please support me so the NKF can continue its vital work in supporting patients

Thanks

Carolyn