Thanks for visiting my just giving page.

I will be running for the charity Kidney Research in the London 2015 Marathon. No doubt this is going to be a massive challenge. I will need all the help and support I can get from family and friends. This is a charity very close to my heart, as well as raising as much money as I can (they have set me a high target) I would like to raise public awareness of the condition.

Unfortunately, both my parent’s kidneys failed but they have both since been lucky and blessed to receive transplants. My dad (Steve) was diagnosed with acute IGA kidney failure in 2007 and after about a year on dialysis he was very fortunate to receive a kidney transplant from my Uncle Chris at the Royal London Hospital.

My mum (Caroline) was in bad health at the time of my dads transplant due to diabetes. Her kidneys also failed in 2009, luckily just before she was about to start dialysis she received a simultaneous Pancreas & Kidney transplant at Guys Hospital in London.  

Currently, there is no cure for kidney disease, once the kidneys fail only life extending treatments such as dialysis, where you are attached to a machine for several hours, three or four days a week or an organ transplant which on average lasts between 10-15 years (hopefully much longer in the future with research). There is a shortage of organs for transplants with more than 6000 kidney patients on the waiting list many of whom die whilst waiting.

I consider myself one very lucky individual to have my parents still with me, on several occasions I have nearly lost both of them to kidney failure. Occasionally, on a down day I think about my parent’s future and wonder if/when their kidneys will fail again. Hopefully, research will help them, and if not, I hope that when that day comes I will be able to donate my kidney.

I am forever grateful for the work of Kidney Research, Basildon Renal Unit, the transplant teams at Guys and The Royal London, my mums donor and of course my Uncle Chris.

Now it’s my turn to give something back and I really need as much HELP as I can get to:

-raise as much money as I possibly can (thank you in advance) 

-raise public awareness of kidney disease

-If you have training tips please let me know!

-If you are at the marathon on the day look out for me and give me an encouraging cheer!

-There is a link below with donor registration details, please have a look.

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

'CARPE DIEM'

Charlotte

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.