This year for our Give Back Day we have chosen to support Kidney Cancer Scotland, as they are currently providing support to the Brother of one of our valued colleagues. Anything you can donate would be very gratefully received.

A few words from the man himself;

"KIDNEY CANCER SCOTLAND has been nominated by Stephen Boyd in recognition of the support his brother Thomas and his family are receiving from them as the COUNTRY’S LEADING KIDNEY CANCER CHARITY. The charity seek to reduce the harm caused by kidney cancer by increasing knowledge and awareness, providing patient information and by supporting research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the disease across the country. Thomas was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).  Since then, in the words of Ronan Keating, life has been a roller coaster. This has included numerous surgery’s, clear scans and not so clear scans and although this is not curable it is treatable. Currently he is stable while undergoing a combination chemotherapy/immunotherapy regime and has good days and bad. As well as supporting our charity appeal can I urge anyone with niggling doubts about their health to get to the doctors and get checked."

The following link gives you an insight into the vital work they do - 

Kidney Cancer UK Kidney Cancer Scotland - Kidney Cancer UK (kcuk.org.uk)

This includes but is by no means limited to telephone support, counselling, support grants, and helping patients get access to the right drugs and clinical trials. 

Kidney Cancer is lesser known, so the charity tends to receive less funding than other Cancer Charities. It is however the 7th most common Cancer in the UK and is on the increase, so it feels appropriate to share the symptoms here, to help people be more aware; 

• persistent pain in the lower back or side just below the ribs
• blood in urine
• fatigue
• night sweats
• raised blood pressure
• a lump or swelling in the side (although kidney cancer is often too small to feel)