4th June 2017. My beautiful sister, Olivia, had a kidney transplant.

Olivia has suffered her whole life with chronic pyelonephritis in both kidneys. She lived with 10-hour overnight dialysis EVERY SINGLE DAY for 6 months after putting it off for as long as possible, but lowering to 4% function across two kidneys forced her decision.

It's been tough for Olivia - in and out of hospital, suffering almost constant infections, and living a low quality of life that she had no context of what 'normal' should be like...

But she's a warrior, living her life with positivity, being as strong as she is capable of, and supporting others in similar situations.

Knowing what life on the other side was like, she now lives her life to the fullest, has built herself a success and fulfilling career, and in October 2024, Olivia completed her first Hyrox, demonstrating a strong determination to challenge herself.

I'm proud of Olivia, and the lifelong hardships she endured will push me in every step of this year's run.

Raising money for Kidney Care UK for transplant-related needs is crucial because these funds directly support patient care, research, and advocacy efforts. This includes providing essential support for people on the transplant waiting list, ensuring successful transplant outcomes, and improving the overall quality of life for kidney transplant recipients.

Supporting Transplant Patients:

Donations help provide emotional, financial, and practical support to patients and their families throughout the transplant journey, from pre-transplant evaluation to post-transplant recovery.

Improving Patient Experience:

Funds can be used to address gaps in transplant care and support, ensuring patients receive the necessary resources to manage their health and well-being after a transplant.

Advocacy and Awareness:

Donations also support Kidney Care UK's advocacy work, aiming to improve kidney care services and raise public awareness about kidney disease, including organ donation.