Kidney Research 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 👋

05/11/2025

Did you know that blood in your urine or needing to urinate frequently are symptoms of kidney disease?

What do the colours mean? 👇

1: Frothy urine (lots of bubbles) could be a sign of protein in your urine which can be an early sign of kidney disease
2: A red or pink colour could be blood in your urine.
3 – 5: Dehydration can lead to kidney problems. Make sure you’re staying hydrated
6 – 7: Urine should be a straw-like colour or paler.

Your urine holds the clues – don’t ignore them!

Share and save for later!

Click here to find out more and to take our online kidney health check: https://bit.ly/3XvZihE

04/11/2025

Paul is dedicating his time to improve life for renal patients, having spent two decades supporting his own mum through dialysis treatment after her kidneys failed.

Being a renal unit contact, he spends time with patients and staff to offer a friendly ear, connecting patients with further support and information via our charity.

“I was only nine when Mum first needed dialysis and I supported her through that treatment for 20 years either side of a failed transplant.

“Thankfully, a second transplant gave her 15 dialysis-free years before she died in 2012, but I still remember how difficult dialysis was for our whole family.

“She’s the reason I volunteer. Trying to help others cope with the challenges kidney disease brings. There are many emotions and questions that patients have about how dialysis will affect their lives.

“Being able to have empathetic conversations to share the right information and support can make life a little easier.

“Every time I go to a renal unit, it is always full. There is never a spare machine. It’s worrying that the amount of people affected is increasing. It can be hard to come to terms with needing dialysis.

"There are so many emotions and things to consider. A lot is going through your head. How will this affect my family? What can I eat? What exercise can I do? Can I continue to work or travel?

“Doctors are often dealing with the physical implications of kidney failure, so it’s important for patients to have support from others who have faced those same questions.

“Dialysis can be exhausting and lonely, no matter how long somebody has been receiving treatment. However, I’ve found that the majority of patients and their families welcome having somebody to talk to about what they’re going through.

“Patients are so resilient but it’s nice to know that someone cares. That can make a huge difference. I’d have been really grateful if somebody had visited my mum.

“All you need to volunteer is empathy and a willingness to help people. It’s uplifting to see the impact you can have on others by just being there for them and sharing information.

“Many of us are involved in this work because of our own experiences of kidney disease. I’m grateful to be part of it and find it so fulfilling.

"I have a busy life with three children, but volunteering helps me feel more connected to my mum and I hope she’d be proud of what I’m doing.”

Read the rest of Paul's story and to find out more on becoming a renal unit contact, click here: https://bit.ly/49w611O

03/11/2025

We’re recruiting members for our new marketing and communications insight panel. This is a chance for patients and carers to help shape how we share information, making it clear, accessible, and relevant.

Our marketing and communications team works across the whole organisation to run digital channels, generate media coverage, produce publications, translate research, and write health information for patients.

Panel members will take part in online meetings, review health information, test digital projects and give feedback on campaigns and publications.

Interested? Read the full role description here: https://bit.ly/48VldFu and email your expression of interest to 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀@𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸.𝗼𝗿𝗴 by Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Please include your connection to kidney disease, any relevant experience and why you’d like to join. Interviews will take place the weeks of 17 or 24 November 2025.

Please share with your networks or tag someone who might be interested and would like to be involved.

We look forward to hearing from you!

02/11/2025

Symptoms of kidney disease are difficult to detect, so it is important to speak with your GP if you are experiencing any of these.

Detecting kidney disease earlier can mean your doctor can prescribe treatments which can help maintain your kidney function for as long as possible.

Early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can also give you the opportunity to make lifestyle changes and manage other health conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes, that may contribute to kidney damage.

Head to our website for more information: https://bit.ly/3z7fsVi

31/10/2025

Big news for kidney patients in Wales! 🎉

Health Technology Wales (HTW) has recommended the routine adoption of Kidney Beam across Wales — a digital rehabilitation and self-management programme for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is Kidney Beam?
It's an online platform offering live and on-demand exercise, education and wellbeing sessions to kidney patients, led by specialist physiotherapists and exercise professionals.

Professor Sharlene Greenwood, co-founder of Kidney Beam, said:

“It is really exciting that kidney patients in Wales could be among the first to benefit from this stamp of approval for our novel, digital approach to patient care."

Have you used Kidney Beam? Tell us what you like about it in the comments below 👇

A digital rehabilitation platform for people living with chronic kidney disease has been recommended by Health Technology Wales (HTW).

30/10/2025

Nick has been left unable to work because of his rare genetic kidney disease, which has left him on the verge of needing dialysis treatment.

Over the past decade, Nick has been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and prostate cancer. Although in remission from cancer, Nick’s kidneys have been severely damaged, pushing him close to kidney failure.

“I didn’t have any symptoms before my diagnosis, I was completely blindsided. The only treatment I’d needed before that point was blood pressure medication. Suddenly I was facing the prospect of my kidneys failing.

“The cancer reached high grade in 2022, and required a radical prostatectomy the following year. That surgery led to acute kidney injury, rigors, sepsis and E. coli, which accelerated the deterioration of my kidneys, plunging my kidney function from around 30% down to 10%.

“I needed to go into intensive care and took antibiotics for four months to overcome sepsis. For the first time in my life, I’ve had to step back to take care of myself over the last few years.

“The thought of dialysis worries me a lot. It’ll mean having treatment at least three times a week and restricting my fluid intake and diet.

“I’ll be married to a machine until I am eligible for a transplant. I have no idea if or when a transplant will happen. It could be several years. There are lots of ifs and buts. Our life has been completely turned upside down.

“Our dreams of retirement and being able to travel are out of the window for now. We’ll just have to cope as best we can.”

“It’s really tough to think that our sons may also be affected. We just stay hopeful that by the time they might need treatment, research will have moved on and it will not have the same impact on their lives as mine.”

There are over 160,000 rare kidney disease patients in the UK facing significant diagnosis delays, inconsistent care and long waits for new treatments.

Our latest report highlights these key findings and suggests 14 recommendations so families are no longer left behind.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/47Wdp5Z

A report about the impact of rare kidney diseases in the UK including diagnosis delays and waits for new treatments.

28/10/2025

Two sisters, Janette and Rosalyn, have escaped a lifetime on dialysis thanks to research which has improved treatment options for the genetic kidney disease which killed their grandad and aunt - atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS).

The breakthrough of treating aHUS with eculizumab was made by Professor Tim Goodship, with funding from Kidney Research UK.

Despite this significant advancement, living with aHUS is still challenging and causes Janette anxiety for the future of her two sons, aged seven and nine, who have also inherited the genetic fault.

“aHUS is a very rare condition, but it’s common in my family. My grandad was on dialysis three times a week before he died, and my aunt died in her late thirties after the condition caused her transplant to fail. It’s amazing that 25 years later, there is now medication to protect our kidneys. It isn’t pleasant but we are lucky to have it.

“I’m grateful that my children don’t have to see me on dialysis and that I will have a longer life. However, my kidney function still fluctuates, and doctors have told me I will need eculizumab infusions every two weeks for the rest of my life.

“The medication causes me to feel exhausted and have terrible headaches. I’ve had to grieve for the life I had. I used to do everything at 100 miles an hour, but I can’t anymore. I feel guilty not having the same strength or energy to spend on my boys.

“Unfortunately, my one-year-old nephew’s gene has already been triggered, and he is on the same treatment as me and my sister, albeit every three weeks.

“I’m desperate for researchers find even better ways to treat aHUS. That’s why I choose to play the Kidney Research UK lottery - to help make that change.”

Together, we can fund life-changing kidney research - and you could win while you do it! To join in, click here: https://bit.ly/4qvxYNo

26/10/2025

A shock diagnosis of kidney failure in 2000 left Sam needing dialysis for 12 years.

He finally received a kidney transplant through the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme, as his wife, Pam, donated her kidney to a stranger.

Sadly, his kidney failed this year, leaving him back on dialysis with little hope of a second transplant.

Sam will be celebrating Diwali with his family, but things will be different again this year.

“It’s hard for me to join in fully with the celebrations. If I did, I’d risk my health deteriorating even more. My immune system is compromised, so I have to be very careful about picking up illnesses.

“I still visit the Gurdwara, but I go earlier than everyone else to avoid busy crowds. I wear a mask every time, but I get awkward looks from people who don’t understand about kidney disease.

“Every occasion is impacted – whether that is Diwali, Christmas, or any bank holiday.

“I’d love to visit my family more but it’s difficult. Me and my son used to go and watch Wolves play football, but I’ve had to give up my season ticket.

“I dialyse every Monday and Friday for four and a half hours each session, with additional time spent travelling and connecting to the machine.

“By the time I get home, it is about 3pm and most of my day has gone. I am usually exhausted and need to sleep.

“I want to make more people aware of how challenging dialysis is, particularly in Asian community where less people put themselves forward to donate a kidney.

“They are also surprised that Pam is living with one kidney because she is so well. She works as a nurse doing long hours and can eat and drink what she wants.

“We hope more people will consider organ donation when they see the positive difference it can make. Kidney transplants transform people’s lives and mine gave me 13 years of life without dialysis. Time when I could make special memories with my family.”

Read Sam's full story here: https://bit.ly/48DlyMU