Hello everyone, my name is Caroline O'Kane and my amazing family are taking part in the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 4th May 2025, as part of #TeamNIKidney in aid of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.

In March 2024, I took ill over the course of a week. Initially I thought it was a stomach bug but unfortunately I was diagnosed with a rare kidney and lung disease called Goodpasture syndrome, which affects 1 in 1 million people every year. It was a huge shock for my family and me. My life turned into a rollercoaster, going from living a normal healthy life to stage 5 kidney failure - plasma dialysis, haemodialysis and being told I would require a kidney transplant.

Since diagnosed, I was attending the Renal Unit in Altnagelvin 3 times a week for dialysis treatment. The staff at Altnagelvin Hospital have to be admired for the wonderful work which they carry out. Things started to look up in September when I was well enough to be considered for a transplant. Who would have thought that my beloved husband, Liam would turn out to be the best kidney match for me. Fast forward to January 2025, when the kidney transplant took place, and it has been a great success for us both. The team at Belfast City Hospital are amazing and have to be commended for the wonderful work which they do. Thankfully, my life is slowly but surely returning to normality, enjoying the simple things in life with family and friends.

We are hoping to raise funds to give something back to the NI Kidney Research Fund, who have helped me along this journey. On Sunday 4th May my family will be raising vital funds towards future kidney research into the causes, prevention and possible cures for kidney related diseases.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please feel free to share it far and wide. All donations small or large are greatly appreciated.

Find out more about the incredible work of NIKRF online at www.nikidneyresearch.org