Kidney Research UK

16/01/2026

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! We’re looking for the next lead of our Lay Advisory Group, a vital role that helps shape and strengthen patient and public involvement, while influencing meaningful change across the kidney community in the UK.

After leading the group for four successful years, the current lead of our Lay Advisory Group is stepping down, so we are looking to appoint a new lead.

If you’re passionate about improving the lives of people affected by kidney disease, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

You can find the full role description here: https://bit.ly/3UZX9Jm

If you think this is the volunteer role for you, then please email your expression of interest to patients@kidneyresearchuk.org by Friday 30 January, and include as much detail as possible on your connection to kidney disease and relevant leadership or chairing experience.

We look forward to hearing from you.

15/01/2026

Tim and his eldest brother Simon were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and his half-brother, Kiran, has also been impacted by kidney disease.

Shortly after receiving a kidney transplant in 2015, Tim’s health deteriorated due to a childhood infection, BK virus, and subsequently bladder cancer.

“For a long time my kidney function hovered around 70%. However, in 2012, I began to experience headaches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and anaemia. All signs that my kidneys were failing.

“Being told I needed a transplant was a real shock, even though I knew it was a possibility one day.

“I wanted to protect my loved ones by concealing how significantly I was affected. However, when I did tell people, I had so many reach out to offer a kidney. It was overwhelming and I’m grateful to everyone. In the end though, I received a kidney from a deceased donor.

“People would tell me how much better I looked. However, a month later I became very pale and had dark rings around my eyes. My kidney function dropped, and doctors discovered I had BK virus.

"My immunosuppressants were lowered so my immune system could combat the virus, but that put my kidney transplant at risk of rejection. It was four years until I was free from BK virus and my immunosuppressants were increased again.”

“My urine wasn’t flowing as normal, and I wondered if I had an infection. I saw my renal consultant and had an ultrasound and a cystourethroscopy. This identified a lesion on my bladder and I had a biopsy. When the results came back, I was told I had stage one bladder cancer and needed my bladder removing.

“It’s all about perspective. I have a friend who has terminal cancer, so I feel lucky to have received a transplant and to have found my bladder cancer at stage one.

“I’m concerned about passing kidney disease to my sons. If that happens, I’d be devastated. What keeps me hopeful is that there have been leaps and bounds forward in research. I want to keep pushing us closer to answers by supporting researchers like Dr Baker.

“I’ve had my transplant for ten years, and I know this kidney won’t last forever. There’s no indication that it’s giving up though and I’m under great care, so I hope that it keeps going for a long time yet.

“I want to see my sons grow older, watch them get married, graduate from school and have their own kids. Nobody knows what the future holds, so I try to stay present and engaged in life. I try to stay healthy and not to worry about what I can’t control.”

Read Tim’s full story here: https://bit.ly/4aTnG4h

Shortly after a kidney transplant in 2015, Tim Tavender's health deteriorated due to BK virus and, subsequently, bladder cancer.

13/01/2026

Last year, the government shared their new 10-year NHS plan for major conditions, and yet again, kidney disease was left off the list.

Despite the estimated 7.2 million people in the UK currently living with chronic kidney disease, it is still overlooked even though it is linked to other serious health conditions mentioned in their plan such as diabetes and heart disease.

Last year, along with Kidney Care UK, NKF - National Kidney Federation, Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Charity UK, and UKKA, we delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister outlining the need for a national strategy on kidney disease, which had over 13,000 signatures.

Now, we need your help to complete our e-action to your local MP urging them to write to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

It’s quick and easy to do. Simply type in your postcode and let us do the rest. The e-action generates a pre-written message for you to add any personalisation in.

Take action here: https://bit.ly/4jCn1X5

I’m supporting ’s campaign to raise awareness of and the impact it has on individuals and their families. Find out more https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/support/campaign/election-hub/

11/01/2026

Calling young adults (16–30) with haemodialysis experience, get involved and help improve care through research!

Mrs Karen Nagalingam was awarded a grant last year to identify ways to improve social interaction and reduce isolation and loneliness in young adults receiving haemodialysis.

If you have ever been on haemodialysis in a dialysis unit, then please fill out their survey below.

The team would like to hear your experiences and any ideas on how they could improve haemodialysis for others.

Your voice could shape the future for young adults receiving haemodialysis💜

For more information and to take part, click here: https://bit.ly/3Ng3gZj

09/01/2026

Bella received all your jokes over the Christmas period, and as you can see, loved them!

She’s picked a few of her favourites to share with you💜

Six-year-old, Bella, was diagnosed with kidney disease four years ago. Like many, she is desperate to live a dialysis-free life and is currently on the transplant list.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill in our crackers so we could add a bit of festive magic to Bella, and her family's, Christmas. With your support we have raised over £30,000!

To find out how you can support research, click here: https://bit.ly/3X0WyZ4

07/01/2026

New dialysis research update!

Professor Grazia De Angelis, Dr Maryam Zarghamidehaghani, and the team at the University of Edinburgh are working on the REDIAL project.

Awarded in 2023, their goal is to create a much smaller, wearable artificial kidney that could make dialysis easier for patients.

Using computer models and artificial intelligence (AI), the team has identified some promising new filter materials that could work well in a new, compact dialysis device.

The team are coming to the end of their three-year grant and have already carried out early lab tests to see how these materials perform and are preparing their findings for publications.

These are very exciting early steps!

Read more on what the REDIAL project is here: https://bit.ly/4pfWb8o

With a joint Kidney Research UK-Stoneygate grant of £180,000, Professor Grazia de Angelis from the University of Edinburgh is working on new materials to support the development of a wearable artificial kidney. Project Lead Professor Grazia De Angelis and Thomas Fabiani, PhD student working in the ...

05/01/2026

A step forward for patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD)!

With an estimated ten per cent of the UK population living with kidney disease, news that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has selected chronic kidney disease as one of its eight priority health areas for 2026 is a welcome start to the year.

Around 7.2million people are living with kidney disease, but many of these are yet to be diagnosed, missing vital opportunities to intervene and prevent progression to kidney failure.

The close links between kidney disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes mean we must address these conditions together.

We agree with NICE that a national focus on kidney disease can have a significant impact on patient care and NHS resources in the year ahead.

04/01/2026

Have you, or someone you know, recently been diagnosed with kidney disease and unsure of where to turn?

We’re here to help! 💜

Our free Kidney Kit is specifically created with kidney patients in mind. You'll find delicious renal dietician approved recipes, tips and support from kidney patients, access to simple kidney patient exercise plans, and much more.

All created with the support of kidney research experts!

Get yours today: https://bit.ly/3PRgVoS

02/01/2026

Can you believe our most popular Facebook post of 2025 was Spud Man, aka, Ben’s kidney disease journey.

Ben started his business at the age of 18 and says: “I’ve always worked with potatoes. I started as soon as the bank would give me the money to buy the pitch. My old man was a potato merchant, so I grew up around it.

“Before my diagnosis, I was just a normal 20-year-old lad travelling to events with my spud trailer and doing festivals. That all changed when my kidneys failed, but through it all I’ve been determined to keep running my business, while accommodating my dialysis treatment.

“My health problems began in 2010 when I failed a medical for life insurance and went to see my doctor. I did a blood test and was sent straight to hospital. That day I crash-landed into kidney failure and immediately started dialysis treatment. My kidney function was at just 8%.

“I’ve had three transplants over the years, but unfortunately none of them have lasted very long because of my rare condition – membranous nephropathy – which is aggressive and a recurring problem. With current treatment options, I will be on dialysis for the rest of my life.

“Kidney Research UK is very close to our hearts and helping to fund research into better treatments is important. I’d love to see options like wearable dialysis machines or artificial kidneys that could transform my life. I’d jump at the chance to give them a go.”

Sarah, Ben’s wife, adds: “I’m proud of how much we’ve managed to do while on dialysis: having our children, running the business and going on holidays. We’ve had messages from people facing renal failure or starting dialysis, who are feeling down. They’ve told us that watching Ben helped them feel more positive that they can still live their life.

“We might not have found a cure yet, but it’s exciting to see what is happening and to think how it could relate to us in the future. I enjoy reading the positive stories and breakthroughs that are making a real difference to peoples’ lives.”

Read his full story here: https://bit.ly/4oEK6e4

30/12/2025

Professor Michael Nicholson has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours in recognition of services to kidney transplantation.

With funding from Kidney Research UK, he led the development of normothermic machine perfusion, an innovative technique that could mean more donor kidneys are suitable for transplantation and more people could receive life-changing surgery.

In 2010, Professor Nicholson carried out the world’s first transplant using this technique and in December this year he was reunited with the recipient, Deborah Bakewell, whose life was transformed by the surgery and whose kidney is still going strong 15 years later.

Sandra Currie, Kidney Research UK chief executive said: “𝑀𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦.

“𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 7,000 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝐾 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦.

“𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝐾 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛 𝑂𝐵𝐸.”

Congratulations to Professor Michael Nicholson, this recognition is truly well deserved.

Read our full response here: https://bit.ly/3YQFbuG

Pioneering transplant surgeon Professor Michael Nicholson has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours list.

28/12/2025

We have absolutely loved all the jokes that have been sent to Bella as part of our Christmas appeal, that we had to get some of our staff members to read them out at our staff Christmas conference!

These crackers have been sent to six-year-old, Bella, who is desperate to live a dialysis-free life, having been diagnosed with kidney disease four years ago and is waiting for a transplant.

December is always filled with anxiety for mum, Nathalie, because what if at Christmas, it’s not sleigh bells they hear, but the alarms on Bella’s dialysis machine?

These crackers are sure to brighten her days in the lead up to Christmas knowing so many of our wonderful supporters are thinking about her and the family.

So far we have raised an incredible £23,000 🎉There is still time to support. For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/3X0WyZ4

24/12/2025

Nobody warns you how hard it will be to get a staff group photo – how did we do?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us to you! 🎅

2025 has been an incredible year, in more ways than one. Here are just a few highlights from the year.

• Our chief executive, Sandra Currie, receiving an OBE in recognition of Services to People Affected by Kidney Disease in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.

• Awarded 44 grants, totalling £4.5 million, to dedicated researchers on the same mission as us – to end kidney disease

• In May, we hosted a parliamentary reception in Westminster to shine a spotlight on the realities of living with kidney disease with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, in attendance

• Our work appeared in 380 media stories, reaching new audiences with more than 1.35 billion opportunities to be seen

• Launched our first Liverpool Bridges Walk raising £37,135, bringing the total across all four Bridges Walks to £225,850.

• The March March virtual raised over £50k smashing our target!

• Between our four bridges walks, we had 86 volunteers, donating approximately 430 hours.

None of this would be possible without our supporters, volunteers, ambassadors, lay advisory group members, researchers, corporate supporters, research grants committee, and trustees.

We already have so much planned for 2026, we cannot wait to see what else it brings💜