, g in z a m a g in h t e m o s Do help save lives!
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A reason to set yourself a challenge this year... Charity’s Free Kidney Screening Saved my Life Aric on dialysis.
Last year 25-year-old Aric Ebbs’s life was saved after he was dragged by his worried mother to Kidney Research UK’s free kidney screening at The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel East London. Mum, Carly, recognised the same symptoms for chronic kidney disease that had unfortunately already taken his brother’s life. Aric, who lost his gardening job because he was ‘lazy’, was put straight on dialysis because his condition was so severe. Chronic kidney disease had made him so weak that he couldn’t even push a wheelbarrow. Aric now has to dialyse four hours at a time, three days a week. A year on and Aric is now waiting for
“Dialysis keeps me alive, but the side effects can be quite severe, I suffer with headaches, similar to migraines and I have to be cautious about what I eat and drink. My social life is nonexistent, I met up with a friend I haven’t seen in 11 years for the first time last weekend, this was my first ‘night out’ since being diagnosed, it was scary, I was concerned about going out but now I have done it, I feel a bit more confident. I sipped on one glass of water all night!” a kidney transplant.
Mum gave me my life
back – an inspirational story. Gemma: “Coming round after my kidney transplant, I looked to my side and saw my mum lying in the hospital bed next to mine. I reached out, squeezed her hand, and whispered: ‘Thanks Mum.’ There weren’t enough words to express how grateful I felt. She’d just donated a kidney to me, saving my life and helping me avoid years of dialysis while I waited for a transplant from a stranger. Mum went down to theatre first. Then as soon as her kidney was put inside me, it started working – the transplant was a success. We recovered on the same ward and it was an emotional time. We’ve always been close but what she did for me strengthened that bond. I love that I have a little piece Viv and Gemma Stevens of her inside me. After a horrendous year of illness and drugs, the transplant gave me my life back. Every day I felt stronger. Then, last February, Craig proposed and we’re getting married in Westminster Abbey next month. I feel so lucky to be able to plan my wedding, feeling fit and well. I owe it all to Mum.” Viv: “When we were told Gemma needed a transplant, I’d have done whatever it took to make her well again. I didn’t think about the risks involved. My child needed my help. Any mum would do the same. The day of the transplant I wasn’t nervous, and coming round from the anaesthetic to see Gemma looking so well, after months of illness, was amazing. It took me six weeks to recover. I’m retired so I could just relax and heal; knowing Gemma’s health was improving. Her wedding day would always have been a day to remember, but now it’ll be extra special.”
Richard Baron & Phil Harvey are
Ben Spink – epic journey. Ben and his fellow Lincolnshire Young Farmers and friends are driving a Cash IH Puma 210 tractor from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise vital funds for the charity. They are due to set off on May 5th and plan to complete the epic journey in 6 days. If you are able to sponsor Ben, or to find out more, please visit www.charitytractordrive.co.uk
FACT:
participating in the notorious Jungle Marathon
Richard Baron
Phil Harvey
Richard and Phil are to be the youngest Brits EVER to complete the grueling Jungle Marathon in Brazil this October. At just 20 years old, they will be taking on the challenge which involves being completely self-sufficient. They will be required to carry their food and provisions during the race and will be provided with bottled water at designated checkpoints. Richard’s brother has had problems with his kidneys for 14 years and is constantly in and out of hospital, therefore they felt that raising money for Kidney Research UK was appropriate.
Every year over six thousand people in the UK have to start renal replacement therapy because their kidneys have failed. It’s reported by the NHS that one thousand people unfortunately die while waiting for an organ - 90% of people on the waiting list desperately need a kidney.
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David ran the Bupa Great
North Run with no kidneys! Dialysis patient, David Rand, suffers from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 1998 after graduating as a Chemical Engineer. David, who raised £700, said: “I had both my kidneys removed because
they were very large and were restricting the space for a kidney transplant. I received a kidney in 2008 but it failed and had to be removed within 24 hours. Throughout all of this I have kept active and as fit as I possibly can.” This year David’s thinking about running the Virgin London Marathon. “Not until he gets a kidney!” said his extremely proud Dad.
Amy goes coastal – update! Amy set herself the challenge to walk the entire coastline of Britain (approx 6,824 miles) in less than 10 months, walking 20 - 40 miles every day, in memory of her brother Dean, who sadly died in 2005 after a long, painful battle against kidney disease. Unfortunately Dean was too ill to undergo a kidney transplant and his regular dialysis treatment was no longer effective. Amy’s challenge started on 1st February and here are some snippits from her diary. Day 8: Dover to St.Mary’s Bay.
A very hard day today - emotionally. Spent 7 hours walking and was soaked the whole time. I had a walking companion
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do.... 6824 miles of it!
today, 15 year old Megan McNeill from Dover who completed the full days walk with me and never once held me back or
complained. She was a little star and has so far raised £70! Thanks Megan.
Day 37: Brixton to Landrake.
Quite a poignant day today - Dean would have been
celebrating his 48th birthday. Almost makes sense
of this absurd challenge I’ve set myself! ...just had a shower and one of my favourite songs, Adele - ‘Make you feel my love’ was playing in the shower block
...had a brief moment alone with my thoughts and hope my family are doing ok today!
The most Southerly point!
Follow Amy’s journey via facebook – search for ‘Amy goes Coastal’.
Brian got fit to save his daughter’s life
Brian King stopped smoking and went to the gym 2-3 times a week to ensure he was healthy enough for the transplant operation. He ran the Bupa Great North Run and raised £1,200.
FACT:
Debbie Adams – a true rocker at 40! Debbie was diagnosed with Chronic Nephritis at 5 years old, and by the age of twelve was on dialysis three times a week for five hours at a time. To ensure others don’t have to go through the same, Debbie has organised a Rock Concert ‘Rock 4 Renal Failure’ to raise money for the charity. “This event is my way of giving back for the wonderful chances I have received and to show that they haven’t been wasted. However, I still see the lack of knowledge and understanding about this condition out there and that is something that I HAVE to see changed. Things HAVE to be easier for those that come after me as I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through the things I have endured. I have been one hell of a lucky person to still be here and to have had the doctors and surgeons that I have. I just hope that I can make a big enough difference so that they know for sure that all their hard work has been given just cause.”
45,000 people in the UK are being treated for kidney failure
FACT:
Kidney disease can affect people of any age
Events calendar 2010 Plan your challenges for th Walking Events London Bridges Walk 2010
Running Events 13th June 2010
19th September 2010
Join an assorted mix of elite athletes, celebrities and charity runners competing in the world’s biggest and most famous half marathon! The 13.1 mile route starts in the heart of Newcastle and finishes in South Shields.
We invite you, your family and your friends to join us as we walk a route which will take you over eleven of London’s most famous bridges. Feel the camaraderie as you join kidney patients, their families and friends, as well as our other dedicated supporters all wearing their purple t-shirts with pride! Anyone can enter, young or old. The route will start and finish at Boules area, Battersea Park, where we will have an exclusive hospitality area for all to enjoy. Register online at www.kidneyresearchuk.org/londonbridgeswalk
Bupa Great North Run
Bupa Great South Run Jaiden Quigley was born with end stage renal failure and was only weeks old when he started peritoneal dialysis.
24th October 2010
This flat, fast course attracts elite athletes from around the world as well as celebrities and fun runners alike, and gives you the perfect opportunity to try for your personal best!
asics British 10k
11th July 2010
Now aged 21 months, Jaiden is awaiting a transplant and his father will be the special person donating his kidney.
Join this exhilarating race as it takes you through some of London’s best known and most historic streets. The 10k route starts from the statuesque Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, bypassing London’s most magnificent landmarks Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and on to the finish line along Whitehall.
It has been a worrying time for mum Charlotte:
adidas 5k
“If it wasn’t for all the wonderful research done through Kidney Research UK, he wouldn’t be here today. My eyes have been opened to the many lives affected by kidney related problems. I now want to raise money for the charity, to make people more aware of the work they do. Taking part in London Bridges Walk 2009 was a great day out – I met so many inspirational people and heard their stories about how kidney related problems have affected their lives.”
5th September 2010
This is the UK’s biggest female fun run and takes place in Hyde Park London. It’s a great family day out and the camaraderie you receive from fellow participants will spur you on to cross the finish line regardless of whether you run or walk, it’s the taking part that counts and we would love to have you as part of our team. Sign up with family members or friends and help fund research to save lives!
Ben Nevis Challenge
15th - 17th Oct 2010
Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, stands majestically at 1,344 meters (4,409 feet) amongst the hills and Monroes of the Scottish Highlands. This adventure is an amazing experience which offers the opportunity to walk up one of the most spectacular and picturesque mountains in Great Britain and is also a fantastic weekend away!
Picture courtesy of Bupa Great Run / Peter Langdown
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Be Inspired! Watch coverage from our 2009 climb on our website at: www. kidneyresearchuk. org/bennevis
Sign up today to register for any of these events or for further information visit
www.kidneyresearchuk.org/events email events@kidneyresearch.org or call 08456 12 12 26
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he year ahead... we have something for everyone! Overseas Challenges Peru
24th Sept - 3rd Oct 2010
April 2011 (dates tbc)
Trek through the untouched Lares region of Peru, over high mountain passes, green valleys, tranquil mountain lakes and breathtaking views of snowcapped Andean mountains all whilst experiencing Peruvian life first hand.
China
8th - 17th Oct 2010
May 2011 (dates tbc)
For those wishing to mix the challenge of a lifetime with an adventure through a country steeped in history, grandeur and natural beauty, then this is the event for you! Walk along the magnificent Great Wall and come away with some amazing memories.
Kilimanjaro
27th Jan - 5th Feb 2011
This breathtaking trip will guide you up the tranquil Machame route where you will trek through lush deep forests, home to spectacular wildlife, stretching up to moorland and onwards towards glaciers before reaching the Uhuru Peak. This will be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life: be part of this truly magnificent journey.
Abseils Take part in one of our abseil challenges. Whether it’s Guy’s Tower at 450ft or Park Inn in Peterborough at 80ft. All offer breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush like never before! Descend down the exterior of these iconic buildings to feel your feet touch the ground and the sense of satisfaction of achieving your own personal goal!
Various dates and venues available
The adrenaline kicks in...
Guy’s Abseil Guys’ Tower, London
1st & 2nd May 2010
Fort Dunlop Abseil Fort Dunlop, Birmingham.
22nd & 23rd May 2010
the most amazing feeling...
Park Inn Abseil Park Inn Hotel, Peterborough
17th July 2010
Got your own place in an event? If you have obtained your own place in an event directly through an event organiser and wish to raise sponsorship for Kidney Research UK, please let us know.
Parachute Jumps
thumbs up, all ok...
You will be allocated a dedicated Community Fundraising Manager who will be on hand to support you every step of the way. We can provide a running vest, should you need it, fundraising information and ideas, sponsorship forms, and information on creating your own online fundraising page. Call us today on 08456 12 12 26, or email events@kidneyresearchuk.org with details of the event you are taking part in. ...what a fantastic experience!
FACT:
Right now, over three million people in the UK are at risk of chronic kidney disease. Please help us to help them.
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How do I fundraise? It’s easier than you think! We’ll help you find things you’re happy doing to raise life-saving funds.
Give your local Kidney Research UK fundraising expert a call Our regional community fundraisers are here to give you help and support to hit your fundraising targets.
Here are a few tried and tested ideas To raise £100... Cook dinner for a few friends, ask them to pay! Or, ask your local school to hold a non-uniform day Or, arrange a Friday night three-legged pub crawl
“I raised £600 from organising a Race Night” Abby Tombs To raise £200... Car boot sale profits – ask friends and family to donate items
“I raised £300 from selling cakes” Adam Langrick
To raise £150... Host a summer BBQ for friends Or, hold a karaoke in your local pub for a percentage of the drink sales Or, organise a quiz night with a raffle
Or, persuade a friend to shave their head/legs/ sit in a bath of custard! Don’t forget to ask your employer to match the amount you raise! Or, ask friends, family and work colleagues for sponsorship money
“I asked for donations instead of birthday presents and raised £330.” Lydia Langley
FACT:
For details of your local community fundraiser visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org
Set up your own fundraising page Register for a fundraising account with Kidney Research UK, which will be the online home of all your donation gathering for us. Your account comes with a personalisable profile, showing all the efforts you have made to raise money. To set up your page today visit:
www.kidneyresearchukevents.org
We appreciate everything you do! The Charity’s Liz and Lin (left) welcome back runners at the Bupa Great North Run before they had their well deserved massage.
Diabetes is the single largest cause of kidney failure.
We also know how to party!
FACT:
Uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can cause chronic kidney failure.
Where is my money spent? We invest in research that focuses on the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. We fund around 90 current renal projects and support over 20 new projects each year. Below are a few of these projects. To find out more about all our researchers and projects, please visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org
Award-winning research
Medical breakthrough – a UK first
Dr Michael Robson from King’s College London, was the only UK winner in an international award and has been awarded a grant by Kidney Research UK for two years’ work that will explore the disease mechanisms by which our own immune system attacks the kidney to cause inflammation and kidney failure.
The Charity funded the first verified research project by Dr Xu to prove Chinese complementary medicines do indeed have anti-scarring activities, supporting the notion they can work alongside conventional medicine in fighting against renal scarring – the common cause of chronic kidney failure. The outcomes of this study can have a massive impact on patients affected by chronic kidney disease, bringing us closer to a cure for many people.
Improving transplant success
Improving health on dialysis or with kidney disease
Dr Matthew Welberry Smith, from Leeds, is looking to identify new protein biomarkers in blood and/or urine that could help us diagnose problems with transplanted kidneys earlier. His work is joint funded with the Medical Research Council.
Dr Joanne Marks, at the Royal Free, London, is researching to see if it is possible to prevent the complications of phosphate overload in chronic kidney failure via the gut (intestines).
Getting closer to a cure
I have always been into walking for as long as I can remember and it was the walking that helped me recover from renal failure. When I was first diagnosed, the experts said I had the heart and lungs of a man 10 years younger! I kept active throughout the treatment and a year after the operation I won a bronze medal at the Transplant Games for a 10k cycle and 5k walk. Today I raise money for Kidney Research UK.
Over the last eight years the Charity has invested more than £1 million into studying the Macrophage. We believe we can programme these immune cells to repair kidney scarring, which often causes kidney failure.
The charity produces educational DVDs on kidney disease for patients
Dr David Kluth, pictured left, and his research group from the University of Edinburgh have completed the final stage of this study, but it now needs to progress to clinical trials, which will cost millions.
FACT:
Other ways the money is spent includes:
£27 One hour of vital research by a research fellow. £50 Printing costs for a campaign to educate
approximately 100 people about the early signs of kidney problems.
£675 A 68 year old man has ‘end stage renal failure’ and
relies on a kidney dialysis machine to stay alive. He also has a wide range of health issues including diabetes, hypertension and epilepsy. He received a Kidney Patient Support Grant to buy an adjustamatic chair which costs £675. The deterioration in his health has caused mobility problems and the gentleman finds it difficult transferring from sitting to standing. This chair will help improve his quality of life through mobility.
£1,000 Would provide the plastic ware required each
year for a research study looking at the potential of stem cells to repair kidney damage in Alports Syndrome.
£3,000 Running costs of the Kidney Health Information Service for one month.
£10,000 Provides 2-years of consumables for a young researcher who is carrying out research to see if it is possible through a different approach to prevent the high levels of blood phosphate in kidney patients.
£54,094 Will support the second year’s research of a
A patient’s story
FACT:
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‘future research expert’ who is testing if stopping a process in the body may lead to less transplant rejection and a better outcome for patients.
£125,000 Budget allocated to support kidney patients through the Kidney Patient Support Grants Scheme, during 2008/2009.
£319,578 Senior Researcher Fellow who is supported
for 5 years to look at specific molecules involved in the filtering part of the kidney.
We are currently researching for a transplanted kidney to be ‘for life’ rather than an average of 10 years.
Help us
The 2010 Photo Competition
s savseuplpiovretin g by
kidney research
Please send me a registration form and more information on:
China Trek 2010
Kilimanjaro Trek 2010
Peru Trek 2010
Ben Nevis Challenge 2010
Bupa Great North Run 2010
Bupa Great South Run 2010
adidas Women’s 5k 2010
asics British 10k 2010
London Bridges Walk 2010
Fort Dunlop Abseil 2010
Guy’s Abseil 2010
Park Inn Abseil 2010
Great North Swim 2011
Parachute Jumps
Please enter your name and address below Title
Mr
Mrs
Miss
Other
Name Address
For more information, vi sit www.kidneyres earchuk.org or em events@kidney ail resear or call 08456 12 chuk.org 12 26
Postcode
River of Dreams
Please upload your events pictures via flickr.com to help share your experience, inspire others and allow us to gather inspirational pictures to use in our future literature. To help encourage you, we will organise a prize for the best picture at the end of the year. We also used the winning picture (shown above) on the front of our annual review.
Jacqui Mould won last year’s photo competition with her picture ‘River of Dreams’.
So, whenever you are at one of our events, supporter receptions, cathedral services or just out training with a Kidney Research UK T-shirt on – send us those photos! We rely heavily on the goodwill of our participants and supporters, and by taking part in this annual photo competition will mean you are helping Kidney Research UK to make people aware of the life saving research we do.
The clock is ticking – we need more funds to help save more lives – Please help us. Why not participate in one of our events as a team...
Telephone Email
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Registered Office : Kidney Research UK, Nene Hall, Lynch Wood Park, Peterborough PE2 6FZ Tel: 0845 070 7601 Fax: 08456 047 211
Please visit our website at www.kidneyresearchuk.org and help us fund research to save lives.
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