Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my page.

My name is Victoria (Vicky) and I first admitted to the renal unit of Guy's and St Thomas' hospital when I was just two and half years old. I developed Haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) following infection with E.coli O157 which caused severe damage to my kidneys. I was taken care of by the renal team for over 10 years, until, unfortunately my kidneys failed completely and I was started on HaemoDialysis In October 2005.

I was incredibly lucky as both my mum and my dad matched as donors and on the 30th May 2006 I received a kidney transplant from my amazing mum.

Since that time I have been able to achieve so many things, including completing my schooling, and going to University where I gained a BSc, and then an MSc, and met my wonderful husband. We have travelled, bought a house and have two beautiful cats together.

I have also competed in 10 (soon to be 11) British Transplant Games https://www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk/ as part of the Guy's Transplant team. These are an incredible bunch of people, including patients and their families, transplant recipients and their donors; many of whom I have known throughout my kidney journey. Being a member of this transplant family is a gift. Many of us have grown up together and have been there for each other through the best and worst of times.

The wonderful GSTT Kidney Patient Association https://gsttkpa.org/ helps to support renal patients, and their families, in a variety of ways at all stages of their kidney disease. They also help to fund the Guys team and support them in attending the transplant games.

I will be competing at the BTG this year in Coventry and will be taking part in the donor run https://www.britishtransplantgames.co.uk/donor-run-2023 on the 29th July to raise awareness for organ donation and to raise money for the GSTT KPA and the Guys if you would like to sponsor me.

Not everyone is as fortunate as I was to have a living donor match, and there are currently over 7000 people in the UK waiting for a transplant. Please share your wishes with your loved ones and sign up to the donor register here https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/