Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Ella is a bright, gorgeous, fun, energetic girl that likes dancing, make up, boys & cider! (I know, she's a typical 14 yr old) However earlier this year she was diagnosed with a condition called IgA nephropathy, a  chronic kidney disease .

IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) mainly affects young adults when a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) becomes trapped in the very fine filters of the kidney (glomeruli), causing damage and scarring to the whole kidney. 

IgA is normally present in the bloodstream and its main role is to fight infections throughout the body. But in IgAN the body’s immune cells produce abnormally formed IgA. It is not yet known why this happens.

Around 30 per cent of IgAN patients will go on to lose kidney function and will require a transplant or life on dialysis. There are currently no reliable tests available to predict which of these patients, known as progressors, will lose their kidney function. 

Ella had a kidney biopsy to diagnose her condition and on the basis of those results she has been advised that she is likely to require a kidney transplant by the time she is in her late 20’s. 

As of today, there is no effective treatment and no cure for IgAN. Which is a bit crap and why we want to raise as much money as possible.

The University of Leicester research team are focussed on understanding what causes IgA Nephropathy and related conditions in children and adults and using this work in the laboratory to identify new ways to treat these devastating illnesses. The Leicester team are the largest dedicated team in the UK, with over 15 clinicians and scientists, studying this disease and the money raised will help them continue their world leading research and bring us closer to a cure for IgA Nephropathy.

Like me, you may have never heard of this condition before. But if you've met me, it's very likely you've heard me talk about my family and my gorgeous girl, Ella. 

So on behalf of us both, I thank you so much for any £'s you are able to donate.

Rich & Ella x

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