For those of you who may not know, and for those of you who now do, we are getting married on the 22nd April 2022.

“Well…where and how did you two actually meet?”

This is something that often leaves us a little tongue-tied, as it involves dredging up a past of being hospitalised and under the dutiful care and guidance of the NHS. We've both been affected by kidney failure and were fortunate enough to receive kidney transplants. Esra received her first in 2017 after a year of dialysis. Ruban was born with kidney failure and received his second transplant from his older brother in 2019 after being on dialysis for three years.

As they say, with every cloud there is a silver lining. Through the generosity and goodwill of Kidney Care UK, our paths would align in an unimaginable way. Every year Kidney Care UK funds a residential Young Adult Kidney Weekend aimed at 18-30 year olds with chronic kidney disease. In 2017, we were both healthy enough to go on a trip to the Peak District, where we would meet for the first time. Now, almost 5 years later since that weekend, we are soon to be married.

We would love to use our special day as a means to raise awareness for a cause that is very dear to us and support the wonderful work that Kidney Care UK do. They are the leading kidney patient support charity providing advice, support and financial assistance to thousands every year. Unfortunately, since our trip in 2017, we have lost friends from the weekend due to kidney complications and the work of the charity in supporting patients and families is never over.

You can find more information about the incredible work Kidney Care UK do on their website.

Your contribution means a lot to us.

Lots of love,

Esra and Ruban