On July 8th i am doing a 52km (32miles) Peak district ultra-challenge, for Kidney Care UK, in memory of my sister Beckie. This is her courageous story...

Beckie was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 7. As a direct result, her kidneys failed in her 20s & were removed. The effects were severe. She faced dialysis 4 times a week & an uncertain future.

But in 2013, we were overjoyed when Beckie received a pancreas & Kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Her life transformed, she was no longer diabetic & she thrived. Transplants are the best possible treatment available.

However, in 2019, Beckie’s one remaining transplanted kidney began to struggle. Susceptible to constant infections & an adnission from sepsis, meant a return to dialysis & a wait for another. Then COV-ID delayed everything.

Dialysis can be gruelling. It can cause extreme tiredness, changes in BP, & long term use can impact other organs. It buys patients time whilst they wait. Beckie struggled with dialysis. It impacted her heart and sent her BP to dangerous levels. The strict routine took over her life & her mental health. We were relieved when i was match & our transplant was set for May 2022.

Tragically, 3 weeks before our surgery, our world ended. Beckie suffered a bleed on the brain, believed to be the result of her BP challenges, as well as weakened blood vessels, which can be common in kidney patients. Beckie passed away at just 37 years old & 2 weeks shy of our transplant.

Kidney disease can be debilitating, isolating & restricts what most people take for granted each day. Kidney patients often experience depression & many health complexities. Kidney patients cannot wait!

Kidney Care UK are dedicated to helping people living with kidney disease. They provide practical, emotional & financial help, making sure no one faces kidney disease alone. They continously strive to improve health & care services for kidney patients.

Kidney care were there for Beckie multiple times, in every single way. Being the kind, fun-loving, amazing woman that she was, she wanted to get well and give back to them. She ALWAYS thought of others. She was truly a magical woman!

Please help me to completely smash this target in her place!. Please also consider deceased & even living donation. It is so important! (https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate) Thank you 💜🧡