Kidney Research UK

31/05/2026

New research: Could urine hold the answers for rare kidney disease diagnosis and care?

Professor John Sayer, Dr Praveen Dhondurao Sudhindar and the team at Newcastle University, have shown that by studying urine from patients with a rare kidney disease called nephronophthisis, could help improve understanding of the disease and test treatments that may protect the kidneys.

This could make such a difference to patients. Looking at kidney cells in the urine is completely non-invasive, and it could help researchers identify new treatments for nephronophthisis in the future.

29/05/2026

The Andy Cole Fund Golf Day silent auction is back - and the prizes are bigger than ever.

Here are just a few of the prizes that you could get your hands on:

- Exclusive meet the Manchester United First Team and watch them train at the Carrington ground
- A 7‑night, five‑star European River Cruise
- Round of golf for two at Wentworth Club with Andy Cole
- Champagne afternoon tea at The Ritz
- Behind-the-scenes experience at Sky Sports News
- Experience the glamour of a UK film premiere night

And that’s only the start. Head over to our auction site to explore the full list.

The best part? Every prize has been generously donated, meaning every penny raised goes directly to funding life‑changing kidney research.

The auction closes at 6.15pm on Wednesday 3 June - so be quick, get your bids in!

Check out the auction here https://bit.ly/4vmpCJD

28/05/2026

Throughout May, we’ve been out and about delivering copies of Get Better Books’ 'My New Kidney' to even more hospitals across the UK! 📚

We’re so pleased to help make this wonderful resource available to more children living with kidney disease. The book provides a safe and creative space for children to colour, comment, ask questions, draw, stick and explore the transplant process alongside their families.

This month, we visited Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (NHS), Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle and Leeds Children's Hospital to deliver copies of the book. Each set is specially tailored to the patients and hospital receiving them, helping to make every child’s experience feel that little bit more personal 💜

27/05/2026

This is 13-year-old Ellis, who was diagnosed with Alport syndrome in 2020.

Ellis began to show signs of being unwell just before his fourth birthday, when extreme tiredness and problems with bladder control prompted a visit to the GP. After three years, Ellis finally received his diagnosis.

His parents, Mel and Neil, have been told that without new treatments his kidneys are likely to fail, leaving him needing a transplant or dialysis to survive.

Alport syndrome is a rare genetic disorder and the second most common cause of genetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Alport Research Hub brings together leading UK and international expertise in Alport syndrome to improve disease understanding and enable earlier diagnosis, providing hope and potential future treatments for patients like Ellis.

A big thank you to Ellis’ family for contributing his patient data to the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR), helping researchers in the search for new treatment options for people living with Alport syndrome.

26/05/2026

Happy 7th kidneyversary to Dina 💜

After being diagnosed with acute kidney failure in 2017, Dina received her double transplant in May 2019. Seven years on, it’s wonderful to see how well she is doing - and all the incredible adventures she has been able to enjoy since her transplant.

Her daughter Clara, shared their story with us during the COVID-19 pandemic when contact with each other was restricted to protect Dina's health and special Bake-Off sessions helped them stay connected and feel close, even from a distance 💜

Since then, Dina, Clara and their family have made many more precious memories together, and we’re so pleased to hear how they are doing today.

We wish Dina and her family many more happy and healthy years ahead!

24/05/2026

It seems there's no stopping Rebecca Vaughan when it comes to supporting life-changing research! 🔬

Rebecca, known as 'Beck', is a researcher working on kidney transplantation at the University of Oxford, where her team focuses on making more kidneys available for transplantation and increasing the chances of transplants lasting for longer.

Before choosing to become a researcher, Beck spent a decade working as a chef. She says: “I changed career because I wanted to make a deep and lasting difference. I’ve always been fascinated by human biology and now I can explore that curiosity, while contributing to treatments that could genuinely transform lives."

Not only does Beck work incredibly hard in the lab, she is also one of the hundreds of supporters to take on the March March step challenge this year in support of life-changing research 🚶

23/05/2026

Are you going through the process to becoming a living kidney donor?

Donate a Kidney UK's UK Living Kidney Donation Buddy Support Service makes it possible to speak to someone with lived experience of the donation process, providing open and honest conversations about what's involved.

Visit their website to find out more and connect with a kidney donor who can answer any questions you may have: https://bit.ly/3ZCJYjE

Connect with someone who has experienced the kidney donation process to answer any questions you may have.

22/05/2026

We were blown away by this wonderful story from Belmont Cameli, who donated his kidney to a stranger as part of a 14-person organ donation chain.

At just 19 years old, Belmont decided to see if he was a match for his childhood friend Brendan, who had gone into kidney failure and needed dialysis every day. While he was unfortunately not a match, Belmont donated a kidney to another kidney patient, leading to seven people, including Brendan, receiving new kidneys.

Not only is Belmont a superstar live kidney donor, he now stars in the popular new hockey romance series Off Campus.

This incredible story shows the life-changing impact of live organ donation and how many lives one person can transform 💜

Visit Donate a Kidney UK to find out more about live kidney donation.

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

22/05/2026

A quick reminder ahead of the bank holiday heatwave coming our way! ☀

It's really important to keep our bodies hydrated, especially during the hot weather. It is recommended that people should aim for 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid each day - however, the right amount depends on a range of factors including weather, exercise and health considerations.

Some people with kidney disease must monitor their fluid intake very carefully, particularly those on dialysis who are likely to have restricted daily fluid allowances 💧

Be sure to take extra care when monitoring your fluid intake during these hotter days and always speak to your health professionals before making any dietary changes.