Kidney Research UK

21/11/2025

Figures from the latest UK Renal Registry Report show around 5,300 adults aged 18-34 are reliant on dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.

Dale was only 22 when he was diagnosed with kidney disease. He used to be on dialysis, but thankfully he was able to undergo a kidney transplant, and life is a lot easier now.

He isn’t cured, though, because kidney disease has no cure.

As the leading kidney research charity in the UK, our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.

Head to our website to find out more: https://bit.ly/48lAoXF

20/11/2025

This week we held the parliamentary launch of our new report on rare kidney diseases: Collectively common – the devastating impact of rare kidney diseases in the UK.

It was fantastic to see so many people in the room united by a shared commitment to improve outcomes for the estimated 160,000 people in the UK living with a rare kidney disease.

As today is , it is also the perfect opportunity to highlight that children with rare diseases are left at far greater risk of medical, educational, and financial disruption.

Our findings from the report showed that children can wait more than a decade longer than adults to access new treatments, and those on dialysis are on average missing more than half the school year, every year.

We will build on this momentum to make the case to government for:

• Earlier diagnosis
• Better access to treatments
• Inclusion of children in clinical trials

A huge thank you to Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for hosting the event, and to our inspiring speakers: Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Dame June Raine, George Agathangelou, Professor Louise Oni, and kidney patients Kathryn and 15-year-old Morven for sharing their powerful stories.

Together, we can make a real difference for those affected by rare kidney diseases.

19/11/2025

Did you know that more men than women start treatment for kidney failure?

This International Men's Day we’re sharing Nigel and Annie’s story. They shared Nigel’s experience of being diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and are now urging others to know the signs and get them check out.

After he first ignored the symptoms, putting them down to drinking ‘too much coffee’, Nigel’s wife, Anne, forced him to go to the hospital. Upon reflection, Nigel is thankful for the push asit could have been fatal.

“I was constantly on the go. I worked full-time in security and took on extra work at weekends as a doorman. Annie and I enjoyed travelling in our motorhome and we had a brilliant life.

“Things took a turn when I began getting headaches a few months before my diagnosis. My blood pressure was high, and my urine was frothy. I thought maybe I was drinking too much coffee, but it kept getting worse. One morning I got up for work and felt like I’d been hit by a truck. I couldn’t move and my headaches were excruciating.

“I spent two days in A&E being tested. My dad died from a brain tumour so doctors thought my symptoms might be related. However, my urine test found protein in my wee which led them to diagnose me with FSGS.

“I was reluctant to go to hospital in the beginning and my kidney failure could have been fatal if Anne hadn’t forced me. She is my rock, and I couldn’t have coped without her.”

Annie adds: “It’s important that people know about their risk of kidney disease and have regular blood pressure checks, because if it wasn’t for Nigel being tested, we wouldn’t have found out about the FSGS until things were even worse.

“If we can help one person to spot signs of kidney disease and get seen by doctors sooner, that would be amazing. It’s important to take notice of your health, spotting signs like persistent headaches, high blood pressure and frothy urine. I don’t think people are checked thoroughly enough and you have to be persistent.”

We know how easy it is to put off going to the doctors, but it is so important that if you notice any symptoms out of the ordinary, you get them checked out.

Be persistent. Advocate for your health. Earlier detection can slow the prevention of kidney disease.

For more information on kidney disease symptoms and signs, click here: https://bit.ly/3z7fsVi

18/11/2025

"Life for Bella and our family has totally changed since she was diagnosed with kidney disease. She’s not been able to live the same life as other children her age, she’s missed out on so much, and she has spent so much time in hospital. It’s been absolutely heartbreaking, and often very frightening.

"I don’t like to use the word normal, because everyone’s lives are different, but it really hurts to see Bella unable to do so many of the “normal” things that her friends do.

"She’s at that age now where she’s really starting to notice that she’s different. When she has to watch her friends go off for swimming lessons at school, because she can’t get the dialysis port in her stomach wet.

"When she can’t eat the crisps at a birthday party that all her friends are tucking in to. When she can’t go and play rugby like her brother, even though she’d love to.

"Despite all the challenges that Bella faces, and the restrictions she has to put up with, she’s so brave, and so feisty! Everyone who meets her says, “There’s only one Bella!” She’s got such a character and people just love to be around her. She’s a total legend, my Bella B, my little dot. She’s tiny but mighty!

"When Bella’s kidneys failed, Mike and I assumed that we’d be able to donate one of our kidneys to her. We were desperate to try and give her a normal, happy childhood. So we were devastated when we found out that neither of us was a match. It’s been one of the hardest parts of this whole journey. As a parent all you want to do is help your child.

"To not be able to do that, you feel so helpless. Since then, so many friends and family members have put themselves forward for testing. It’s been amazing to see the love for Bella. But despite all our efforts and searching and hoping, we haven’t found a kidney just yet.

"Bella can’t wait till she gets her new kidney. She’s started asking “Have you found me a kidney yet? When’s my kidney coming?” I tell her we just need to find the very best most sparkly unicorn kidney for her.

"I want to share our family’s story with you, because it’s been a huge comfort for me to read stories from other people who are on their own kidney journey. When Bella first became ill, I felt so alone, like we were the only family going through it. But thanks to Kidney Research UK, I discovered that we’re not alone. We’re part of an amazing community that you are part of too."

Read more of Bella's story and the research we are funding: https://bit.ly/3X0WyZ4

17/11/2025

Per Lundgren’s life was transformed when his younger brother, Johan, donated a kidney to him in 2009.

Per says: “When I woke up, I didn’t have to think about dialysis anymore. I felt normal again. I know that life gives no guarantees, but I’ve already had 16 wonderful years. I’ve lived to see my grandchildren – something our father never had the chance to do.”

Johan is also still thriving with one kidney, having felt no difference from when he had two. Since the transplant, he has been CEO of multinational airline, easyJet, and lives his life with no restrictions.

With almost 7,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list, Johan and Per are sharing their story to encourage others to think about how they could also transform someone’s life by donating a kidney.

To find out more about living kidney donation, and to watch Johan and Per tell their story, click here: https://bit.ly/43unfZI

Donate a Kidney UK

16/11/2025

A while back, we asked the question ‘what is the most unhinged thing someone has said to you about kidney disease’ and the reaction was huge! It showed the enormous frustrations caused by poor understanding.

Sarah was one of the hundreds who responded to our post. She is mum to three children – Noah, Ariel, and Casper, whose kidneys have failed because of nephronophthisis, a rare kidney disease.

In 2022, Sarah donated her kidney to Ariel, and Noah received a kidney from a friend about 12 weeks later.

Within 16 months, after numerous complications, Noah’s new kidney sadly failed and he is back on dialysis. Ariel’s post-transplant journey has not been without difficulties and she continues to be carefully monitored, and Casper has just started dialysis.

“One person said to me, a few years back, before the kids had their transplants, ‘Oh well I wouldn’t put up with all of that, having to go to hospital. I would pack them up in a van and go and travel the world and get away from it all.’ I was shocked she thought I was putting them through gruelling treatment for no reason.”

They have even found issues within the medical profession. On one occasion, the family were met with an immoveable nurse who refused to bump Noah up the queue for an urgent ECG so he could fit it in before his dialysis session.

“I couldn’t believe it when she said ‘Can’t you not just miss dialysis?’”

Since Noah and Ariels’ operations, Sarah has also found people don’t understand the limitations of transplants:

“We’ve had a lot of comments implying they must be all better, everything’s fine, they’re all well again and will have a completely normal life now. These people totally miss the point: they have to take immunosuppression for the rest of their life, it’s not a straightforward journey. And you’re on a timeline. As we saw with Noah’s, it could fail at any point. Nothing’s guaranteed. Yes, you’ve got freedom from dialysis, but you’ve still got stuff hanging over you.

“I’m constantly sharing Facebook posts about what the kids have dealt with and saying ‘It’s not a cure!!’.

14/11/2025

This World Diabetes Day we are shining a light on the link between diabetes and kidney disease, and we need your help to spread the word.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the UK with almost one in five people living with diabetes needing kidney treatment in their lifetime.

However, detecting kidney problems early can enable steps to be taken to slow its progression, improving quality of life and reducing the likelihood of kidney failure, which can protect their heart health too.

That’s why Dr Lavan Baskaran is helping us to spread awareness about the importance of getting your annual urine ACR test (known as a uACR) if you are living with diabetes.

Two simple checks should be part of your annual review: a uACR looks for protein, which can be one of the first signs of kidney damage and a blood test (eGFR) checks how well your kidneys are filtering waste.

Hear Dr Lavan Baskaran explain this further in the video.

Do you know someone living with diabetes? Share this today and help your friends and family understand their risks and get their checks sooner.

Early identification is key to protecting your kidneys and your heart.

13/11/2025

Former easyJet CEO, Johan Lundgren, has been thriving with one kidney, having donated the other to his older brother, Per, who suffered kidney failure in 2008.

Johan says: “Living with one kidney has made no difference to my life over the past 16 years. I’ve been able to do everything I would have done before. I don’t feel like a donor. I got my brother back in good health and it’s rewarding to have done something so significant.”

With almost 7,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list, Johan and Per are sharing their story to encourage others to think about how they could also transform someone’s life by donating a kidney.

To find out more about living kidney donation, and to watch Johan and Per tell their story, click here: https://bit.ly/43unfZI

Donate a Kidney UK

12/11/2025

Understanding estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

For more information on eGFR, and understanding other test results, click here: https://bit.ly/4r8akH8

10/11/2025

Looking for more ways to be involved with us? Be part of a supportive and welcoming volunteer community on a mission to change the lives of others.

Community ambassador, Douglus Kerr, shares his experiences on being a part of the team and how our regular catch ups are so important to him.

“I have been a volunteer community ambassador for more than 5 years. I have enjoyed attending the regular kidney catch up events, along with the monthly ambassador catch ups. It is a place where you can learn, connect, and give tips on how to self-advocate or learn about peer support. There is always someone who will inspire you.”

To find out more and speak to a member of our lovely team, click here: https://bit.ly/43cuPFj

09/11/2025

A type of medication could help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stay well for longer.

But do you know what a SGLT2 inhibitor is?

We spoke to our funded researcher consultant nephrologist, Dr Dominic Taylor from the University of Bristol, to hear more about SGLT2 inhibitors and his study into getting access to this new treatment.

07/11/2025

Curious to know more about the research we are funding and how it can help kidney patients and their families?

Join our free monthly patient webinars where you’ll get the amazing opportunity to meet our funded researchers, hear about their specialist work, and how it can help those affected by kidney disease.

It’s the perfect space to ask those important questions, network with other patients, and to get involved with future research projects.

To join, all you need to do is register using the link below. You must register for each monthly webinar separately, so sign up to our newsletter to be notified about our next webinar.

Our first webinar is on Friday 28 November, 1-2pm, and talks from:

• Dr Simon Baker, from the University of York, on exploring the link between BK virus, cancer risk, and kidney transplant outcomes.
• Dr Colin Crump, from the University of Cambridge, on discovering new ways to prevent kidney damage caused by BK virus.
• Dr Emma Poole, from the University of Cambridge, on identifying new treatment for CMV after kidney transplantation.
• Dr Matthew Reeves, from the University College London, on developing a vaccine to stop CMV disease in at risk patients.

For more information and to register, click here: https://bit.ly/4os5lzl

See you online 👋

Kidney Research UK is the leading kidney disease charity in the UK, funding research to free lives from kidney disease.