Gareth’s Kidney Journey
Gareth Charlton is a 46year old married father of two who works as a Conductor for Transport Wales. Gareth lives a full life with his family enjoying holidays, looking after their classic motorhome, watching films and of course running! As part of his mission to raise awareness for Kidney Wales and for World Kidney Day 2022 Gareth is sharing his kidney journey with us.
“Kidney Wales have been there for us, kidney patients & their families when we needed them most.”
In February 2019 I became a living donor to my daughter. My connection to Kidney Wales and the kidney community grew again when I completed my Volunteer Ambassador training and signed up to run the Cardiff 10k for the charity.
Experience kidney disease through my daughter has been incredibly difficult. the stress of having a seriously ill child is huge and being able to donate a kidney to her was as amazing. It has been life changing, freeing our daughter from dialysis, and allowing her to lead a more conventional life is a massive privilege. I’d do it again without hesitation.
We have been surrounded by incredible people. The kidney community are some of the most helpful people in the world, they are so strong, encouraging, kind and supportive. There’s always someone happy to help or offer advice to people who are new to it all and there are plenty of experienced people with new questions. When things go wrong, we support each other, when someone has good news we celebrate.
We’ve learnt a lot since the beginning of our kidney journey as a family. I plan to keep moving forward. To stay healthy, look after my family. To keep raising money for Kidney Wales and raising awareness of kidney disease & the importance of organ donation.
We are so grateful to so many for supporting us along this journey, I have to say thanks to everyone in Ysbyty Gwynedd renal team and Hebog Ward. Thank you to Ysbyty Alltwen dialysis unit, the renal team at The Royal Liverpool Hospital and Ward 9A of Ysbyty Gwynedd Kidney Patients Association
I’d like to give send a huge thank you to the living donors support group on Facebook, to Kidney Wales and to our family & friends who did whatever needed doing without hesitation.
Claire’s Kidney Journey
Meet Claire, a nurse living with kidney disease. Claire has been a nurse for over 32years and has been a dialysis nurse herself since 2018. Today Claire is sharing her kidney journey with you to help continue to raise awareness of chronic kidney disease for World Kidney Day 2022.
“Knowing that Kidney Wales is there to offer emotional, financial and informative support is invaluable when you feel there is nowhere to turn.”
I’m Welsh but lived in Ireland for 10 years. I met my husband 32 years ago, we got married 6years ago, we live together on a farm next door to my mum with our two children, 4 cats, 2 rats, 1 hamster, 2 rabbits and a German Shepard that is nearly a year old.
My kidney journey began when I was diagnosed by chance during an ultrasound 18yrs ago when I was around 32. At that stage my kidney function was around 50% or stage 3 kidney failure. Over the past 18years my kidney function has gradually declined. Around 6 years ago I was down to 25% kidney function and 3 years ago I started the process to renal replacement therapy and a transplant. My mum and husband both volunteered to be tested, and my husband was confirmed to be a match. In September 2021 my husband donated his kidney to me.
“Fundraising for Kidney Wales enabled me to push myself to do the Cardiff 10k a couple of years ago when my kidney function was at 10%”
I’ve had an experience with kidney disease, and it isn’t for the faint hearted. It affects every part of life. I have struggled with extreme tiredness, repeated infections, things that can make a family and working life challenging. Dietary limitations are difficult, I’ve had to restrict potassium and phosphates in my diet, which doesn’t sound too bad, until you realise that so much food contains both.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a scary time to navigate. I worked throughout 2020 but was placed on furlough in January 2021 after contracting the virus. Now after receiving my transplant and being a nurse, I truly see germs everywhere (I recognise I could be a little paranoid).
As a member of this amazing kidney community, I have gained so much. I’ve been inspired because there is a lot of strength in people affected by kidney disease. It effects on a person’s life are generally not understood by someone who doesn’t have direct experience with it. It is an invisible disease.
I decided recently to volunteer for Kidney Wales to increase awareness of a condition that can be so debilitating, despite the treatment s available. Kidney Wales have provided exceptional support to me. Especially since becoming a volunteer ambassador and particularly from Bethany Williams-Potter. I’m planning to continue supporting this charity, and raise awareness using my lived experience. I’m 5 months post-transplant and am living as healthy as possible, working full time and loving my family life too.
I am grateful to so many for helping me to get to this place I am in now. I’m grateful to Dr Aithal, the renal team at Morriston Hospital including the day unit, anaemia team and admin teams! I’m grateful to the staff in Carmarthen dialysis unit for supporting me in my working life, to the UHSW transplant teams who got my husband and I through our surgeries.
Most of all I am so thankful to my husband, who unconditionally agreed to donate a kidney to me and to my family who have had to put plans on hold, learn new cooking techniques and generally put up with me talking about kidney all the time!
Stewarts Kidney Journey
Meet Stewart, the Welsh sports minded Director of his own company and Trustee of Kidney Wales. To help raise awareness of kidney failure this World Kidney Day, Stewart is sharing his kidney journey with you.
“The work Kidney Wales carries out has saved people from walking alone through the life challenges living with kidney disease brings. Having support, advice, and information on hand makes a huge difference to our family and I’m sure countless others.”
At just 15 years old I found out I had a condition that meant I would lose both kidneys at some point in my lifetime. I wasn’t told when that would be. I eventually lost both kidneys at age 50.
I’ve had a relatively unique experience with kidney failure, It sounds odd, but I do feel I was lucky to know that it was going to happen in advance, to know I would lose my kidneys. It meant I could put plans in place to prepare for this inevitability. I haven’t had a typical journey, but I have always had superb support from Family, Friends, Employers, NHS Teams and Kidney Wales.
I’ve gained great insight and support from being part of the kidney community in wales. Since being given the news at age 15, and throughout my journey, I have received great support. There are many that I am grateful too including The Renal and Transplant Teams at UHW. Medical Genetics, along with Haematology, again at UHW along with Leeds PNH Team (St James’ Hospital). All who worked collaboratively to support the transplant I received from Gail, and Gail, who I cannot praise enough.
I have plans to continue raising awareness, I have spoken at functions and other sessions spreading important messages to encourage others to look after our kidneys and kidney wellness, I plan to do more of this in the future.
I Definitely plan to do more fundraising for Kidney Wales, the monies raised allow some fantastic research, support, and advice to be given. Funds are vital. I connected with Kidney Wales later when I had lost my Kidneys, I’ve made good friends through them and in the Kidney World.
To share your journey with us email [email protected] and request a case study form today.