For the whole of October I will be giving up chocolate! 

This may not seem a big challenge to some but from a complete chocoholic who eats chocolate on a daily basis it will be! 

Chocolate is my vice I eat it when I'm happy / sad / stressed any occasion will do!!! 

No chocolate for October doesn't just mean no chocolate bars it also means no chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, chocolate puddings, hot chocolate, no chocolate of any form!!!

I'm taking on this challenge because Robin my partner had a kidney transplant in 2011 following a sudden diagnosis of kidney failure, at the age of 25 his life changed overnight and while awaiting his kidney transplant he was unable to eat chocolate due to the phosphorus & potassium chocolate contains. 

Robin was diagnosed as diabetic in September 2021 caused by the high level of steroids he needs to take following his kidney transplant, unfortunately diet alone cannot reverse this type of diabetes and Robin is now on diabetic medication for life. Diet is still extremely important to help control Robin's sugar levels so the no chocolate challenge is even more relevant this year while we adapt to his diagnosis.

The NKF supports the 3 million people of all ages with kidney disease, most kidney patients cannot eat chocolate, and for a child this must be such a punishment, each year we ask people if they would like to take part in Choctober, where we give up chocolate for the month of October.Not only this is a great opportunity to raise some vital funds to support kidney patients, but it highlights just one of the many things kidney patients have to sacrifice in their life with this appalling disease.Please support the NKF so they can continue to support kidney patients and their families.