My Story

I will be taking part in this year's London Bridges Walk (8 & 1/2 miles) as part of #TeamKidney on Sunday 6 July 2025 and here's why it means so much to me. 

In 2012 after a routine work medical, it was picked up that I had protein in my urine sample. Within 2 days I was called into Canterbury hospital to have a kidney biopsy. I was then diagnosed with kidney disease, a condition called Nephrotic Syndrome which is where my immune system attacks the kidney filters and there is no cure. I was put on a lot of medication including a very high dose of steroids for months on end to try stabilise my condition. 

In 2016 I fell pregnant with Josh, unfortunately at 26 weeks pregnant my kidney function dropped to below 8% . I was told Joshua had to be delivered otherwise myself or Joshua  or both wouldn't survive.

My kidneys never recovered and I became very poorly and was put on dialysis 3 x a week for 4 hours each time. I hated dialysis it would make me sick and have panic attacks, let alone the fatigue, shivering from being so cold even under 2 or 3 blankets and the loneliness whilst still trying to keep a smile on your face as that machine was cleaning my blood , removing the toxins and excess fluid and keeping me alive . 

In October 2017 I had a "Bilateral Nephrectomy" this is where they removed both of my kidneys in the hope that when I had a transplant my immune system wouldn't attack it. 

20th April 2018 after 18 months of gruelling dialysis sessions my amazing sister saved my life. She donated one of her kidneys to me. She was a perfect match and she was a living donor so it was the best possible kidney I could be given. 
I was very lucky that my new kidney started working straight away, but after just 4 days my immune system started to attack the transplant. For the next 3 years I had to have regular plasma treatment, iron infusions and other medication which really took its toll. 

I have now had my kidney transplant for 7 years and (touch wood) it is still going strong. I don't have to have any plasma treatment but I do take  daily medication which will be for life and regular checkups. 

A transplant normally has a maximum life span of 20years sometimes a lot shorter , so I know one day I will probably have to go back on dialysis and will need another transplant . 

So please donate to this amazing cause as
every day 20 people are diagnosed with kidney failure and only research can change this. You can make research happen. By donating anything that you can even if it's just £1 you will be supporting a future where people can live free from kidney disease. 

Thankyou  for donating

Love Nat xxx