Update Winter 2011

Focus on: Bringing out the best in research

Waiting for a cure: Jodie’s story

Behind the scenes at the Royal Free

PAGE 06

PAGE 10

PAGE 08

Update

Winter 2011

THE MAGA ZINE FROM KIDNEY RESEARCH UK

ALSO INSIDE...

Charity shops: How to bag a bargain Photo competition winner revealed!

Please help Kian:

“We have to stay strong for Kian.

If we don’t, who will?”

PAGE 04

Welcome to the autumn edition of Update

‘What am I going to do differently this year?’ is a question many of us ask ourselves in January. We reach for the notepad and pen, and scribble down a list of New Year’s resolutions as long as our arm. Some of them we may stick to; but let’s face it, many of them just aren’t going to happen!

‘I’m going to run five marathons, swim the channel, learn Swahili, fly a plane, find the secret to world peace – and definitely give up chocolate for good this time.’

OK, so some of these are pretty far-fetched resolutions but they make my point! Perhaps we need to think about ‘change’ differently, and give ourselves a break! So instead of making unrealistic demands of yourself this year, why not set a couple of more achievable goals?

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to go on an overseas adventure trekking in Peru or China?

Paul Payne did – see page 03. Do you want to economise this year, and make your pennies stretch further? Tania Egan – page 10 – can explain the art of ‘thrifting’ in our charity shops.

Or perhaps you’d like to help people in need – like Kian on page 04 or Jodie on page 10 – by making a regular gift to a very worthwhile cause?

As the New Year gets you pondering about change, just remember that changes can be big or small – it’s the fact that you want to help make a change that really counts.

Happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support.

Rachel Andrews, Editor Contributors Mathew Waik Sarah Crane Tania Egan

Photographer Matthew Roberts

Contact us

Printed by Print 4 Business Ltd

Kidney Research UK Nene Hall Lynch Wood Park Peterborough PE2 6FZ Tel: 0845 070 7601 Fax: 0845 604 7211 www.kidneyresearchuk.org

02

Designed by Titman Firth

Find out more at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Celebrating the gift of life Kidney Research UK held its ninth annual advent service at Peterborough Cathedral in November, with people from Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas invited to join the Charity in remembering those affected by kidney disease. At the start of 2011, there were 7,000 people awaiting a kidney transplant in the UK, while around 50,000 are treated for kidney failure each year.

The increasingly popular event was supported by Barclays Corporate in Peterborough and attended by close to 1,000 people. In addition to choral music and traditional Christmas readings, a collection was held in aid of the Charity’s work. Our supporters, along with other members of the congregation, gave more generously than in any previous year, with a total of more than £7,800 raised to help us fund further life-saving research into kidney disease.

Charity receives national recognition 2011 was a fantastic year for Kidney Research UK as we were nominated for not one but two leading industry awards. In August we were announced as one of six nominees in the running to be named ‘Britain’s Most Admired Charity’ by Third Sector magazine.

Facing stiff competition from other national charities such as the British Red Cross and National Trust, we were praised for our work to tackle kidney disease but narrowly missed out to Help for Heroes when the winner was finally announced in November.

In September, the Charity was also shortlisted to receive a regional Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Award for this very magazine. The annual PRide Awards showcase the best in public relations work being carried out across 12 UK regions and are judged by a panel of leading industry experts. The winners were once again announced in November, with Update claiming third place in the category for Best External Newspaper or Magazine.

News Bite Kidney Research UK has partnered with an innovative new social enterprise called Giveacar.

Giveacar turns old cars into cash and has so far raised more than £500,000 for various charities.

Do you have a car you would like to donate?

For more information, visit: www.giveacar.co.uk

The latest news and views

@ttention shoppers!

2012 sees the launch of Kidney Research UK’s new online shop!

This much anticipated addition to our website first went live in October 2011 but has been revamped for the New Year, and now stocks a wide variety of branded merchandise and gift ideas. With everything from hats, caps, ties and pin badges available to buy at: www.kidneyresearchuk. org/shop and 100 per cent of all profit from sales going to fund further research into kidney disease, there’s never been a better way to help support the Charity.

In Brief

Adventurous fundraising We’ve been organising unbelievable overseas expeditions for many years, with Kidney Research UK supporters travelling to countries as far afield as China, Peru and even Nepal to raise money for the Charity. Visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/events to find out more.

Supporter Claire Naylor, overlooking Peru’s breathtaking Machu Picchu site.

The most amazing experience of my life! I would recommend it to anyone – bring on the next challenge!

Paul Payne, China Trek 2011

Our London 2 Paris Cycle Ride Challenge takes place over four days and covers 294 miles.

Last year’s China Trek raised nearly £100,000 for Kidney Research UK.

Looking ahead With Kidney Research UK’s 50th anniversary year behind us, we asked Chief Executive Charles Kernahan for his thoughts on what 2012 holds for the Charity:

Kidney Research UK events kit: £11.50.

Kidney Research UK tie: £7.50.

Visit our online shop now: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/shop

“2011 was a year of significant achievement for Kidney Research UK. Hard work and diligence meant we were once again able to increase our spending on research and patient support – despite tough economic Charles Kernahan, Chief Executive of Kidney Research UK. conditions which forced some other charities to make cutbacks. We remain committed to continuing the fight against kidney disease and are steadfast on our determination to provide the brightest minds in renal research with the resources they need to combat this devastating illness. However, in order to achieve our goal of doubling our income and trebling our impact on kidney disease, we desperately need to increase our funds. The contribution made by our network of fantastic fundraisers and volunteers has never been more important.

“Going forward, we will be reliant on all our supporters to help us maintain the momentum which has led to so many accomplishments over the past 12 months. Building once again on the success of previous years, 2012 will no doubt yield some hugely significant breakthroughs and we eagerly anticipate the results of a number of our current projects – particularly in the field of transplantation. It is fitting, therefore, that World Kidney Day 2012 will focus on organ donation and transplantation. We are confident that our ground-breaking research will go some way to helping the 7,000 kidney patients who make up 90 per cent of the UK’s organ donor transplant waiting list – not to mention the 50,000 who require treatment for kidney failure every year. We will have more information about this incredible work in the very near future – but for now, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who support us, and wish them a happy and prosperous 2012 from all at Kidney Research UK.”

Call our donation line: 0800 783 2973

03

Cover Story

My little boy needs a cure

We have to stay strong for Kian. If we don’t, who will?

Sarah Crane, Kian’s mum

My little boy needs a cure Little Kian has Alport’s Syndrome.

Without a cure, his kidneys will fail...

Kian Crane-White suffers from Alport’s Syndrome – a rare degenerative form of kidney disease that causes renal failure in those it affects. Diagnosed when he was just four years old, Kian will need treatment for the rest of his life unless a cure can be found. Kian’s mum, Sarah, tells Update about his battle with kidney disease and her family’s hopes for the future.

temperature. He’d also developed an angry purple rash on his skin. Kian was taken straight to A&E where our worse fears were confirmed – he had meningitis.

“Kian was born on Friday 9 September 2005.

A happy, healthy little boy weighing 7lb 9oz, he was 12 days overdue and was a perfect baby. However, shortly after he turned two he became unwell and was rushed to nearby Chesterfield Royal Hospital with a high

“In the end, Kian was lucky and came home just nine days after becoming ill. However, due to his low immune system, he started picking up coughs and colds more frequently. This is still a problem today and it often takes him up to two weeks to fight one off.

04

“After being diagnosed, Kian was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he was put into a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator to help his tiny body fight the illness. He was very, very sick.

Find out more at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

“Kian also began to develop frequent urinary tract infections. Each urine sample given to Kian’s GP or hospital came back showing small amounts of blood and protein. He would become unwell and the blood in his urine was visible. He was frightened and didn’t understand what was happening to him.

“Our lives for the next two years consisted largely of hospital appointments and doctors’ visits. Kian was transferred to Nottingham Queen’s Medical Centre where, at the age of four, health professionals tried to get to the bottom of what was causing his ailments.

“In March that year Kian had a kidney biopsy.

A month later our world fell apart for a second time, as he was diagnosed with autosomal recessive Alport’s Syndrome.

“I just couldn’t believe what was happening.

Having survived meningitis, Kian now had a life-threatening kidney disease and all I could think was ‘Am I going to lose my son?’

“After genetic testing, it came to light that Kian was born with two faulty genes: one passed on from me and the other from his father. The odds of two people with this same genetic fault coming together are extremely low, and further testing showed I inherited the defective gene from my father.

“In May 2011 we began supporting Kidney Research UK. It’s a great charity and we hope

My little boy needs a cure the work it carries out will one day help Kian.

We’ve held a number of fundraising events and have so far raised more than £2,000 to go towards future research. Every penny is vital and not just for Kian, as rare kidney diseases like Alport’s have an unfortunate tendency to affect young children.

“Alport’s will eventually stop Kian’s kidneys from working. Unless Kidney Research UK is able to increase their funding for research and find a cure for the disease, our only hope will be a transplant. Alport’s also affects the collagen in the ears and eyes, meaning Kian will eventually lose the high tone of hearing.

He will not go completely deaf but will need the help of a hearing aid.

“Kian is a happy little boy who always puts a smile on people’s faces. He has to cope with frequent hospital appointments, which put immense strain on him as a youngster and affect his schooling.

“Each appointment involves regular blood tests. He finds these particularly difficult and it breaks my heart to see him upset. He also takes medication every night to help slow the rate at which his kidneys are failing. I find it difficult to see my child having to go through so much at such a young age. Although Kian is remarkably strong for his age, he does struggle with his illness.

“The regular hospital visits are a lot to take in for a six-year-old boy who has already been through so much. He gets very emotional and some days he cries. I comfort him and ask ‘What’s the matter?’ but he often doesn’t know. It’s hard for me to help when he doesn’t know himself.

“We often feel helpless but we have to stay strong for Kian. If we don’t, who will?”

For now, Sarah and her family carry on as normal but Kian will one day need the support of a dialysis machine and, eventually, a transplant. There’s no time scale for when this will happen but doctors expect it to be around the time he turns 12. The clock is ticking and we desperately need your help to fund research that could offer Kian the hope of a normal life.

News Bite

Cover Story

What are we doing to help?

Alport’s is a rare genetic kidney disease, with fewer than three per cent of dialysis patients in the UK starting treatment because of the condition. In addition to launching the Action for Alport’s campaign in February 2011, Kidney Research UK has established a special registry to collate information about rare kidney diseases – increasing the amount of specialist knowledge available to help diagnose and treat these conditions.

We’ve also pledged to increase our funding for research into rare kidney diseases. A new fundraising appeal fronted by Kian has been launched in his home county of Derbyshire and aims to raise £5,000.

Kian with family.

Kian with ambassador Stefan Booth at the Kidney Research UK bash.

In September 2011, Kian and his family were invited to attend a special celebratory event at Kidney Research UK’s headquarters, where he was introduced to celebrity ambassador and EastEnders star Stefan Booth.

“Kian’s a lovely little lad and it was wonderful to get a chance to meet him,” said Stefan.

Kian at home in Derbyshire.

“Unfortunately, as with all forms of kidney disease, there’s currently no cure for Alport’s Syndrome. We’re doing all we can to change this but unless the Charity receives more support and greater funding for research, children like Kian will continue to be affected in this way.”

For more information about Kian’s appeal, please visit: www.kidneyresearchukevents.org/ HelpKian

Kian with Stefan and family in front of ITV Anglia News cameras.

World Kidney Day 2012 is due to take place on Thursday 8 March and this year focuses on transplantation. To find out more about World Kidney Day and what activities will be taking place in your local area, please visit: Matt Cardle. www.kidneyreseachuk.org/worldkidneyday

Call our donation line: 0800 783 2973

05

Focus On

Supporting the best researchers

Supporting the best researchers As part of Kidney Research UK’s year of 50th anniversary celebrations, 2011 saw the launch of a new professional development programme aimed at promoting excellence in the field of renal research.

The Alumni was officially launched at our annual Fellows Day conference for researchers, and automatically includes all the Charity’s past and present research fellows as its core members.

In encouraging greater collaboration between these individuals, the scheme is specifically designed as a way to share knowledge, promote best practice and provide professional support – helping us to develop and maintain a dynamic research community here in the UK. With input from researchers of all backgrounds, and feedback from more than 100 current and past research Fellows, the Charity is now looking to establish a series of Alumni skills development workshops around the country.

These will commence in 2012, with leaders in the field of renal research invited to come together and share information about their work.

Members will also be encouraged to develop

their communication skills and increase their involvement with the Charity by acting as advocates – informing the public about their research aims and what has already been achieved through their projects.

It is hoped members will also be able to help the Charity grow its income, by becoming involved in our fundraising events, setting up a regular gift and encouraging others to do the same.

The launch of our Alumni programme represents a significant part of Kidney Research UK’s ongoing commitment to be a driving force behind renal research in this country – fostering greater collaboration to improve the quality and effectiveness of research into kidney disease.

As well as involving past and present Fellows, an ‘Associate Membership’ for the Alumni will soon be open to the wider renal community – available on application to anyone with an interest in renal research.

The Charity also plans to develop an ‘Honorary Member’ category, for those working closely with us to help develop this exciting programme.

We have identified a clear need for well-trained scientists and clinicians to lead the way in kidney research and build on the advances and scientific breakthroughs that have been made to date.

The Alumni will provide members with a unique opportunity to share research knowledge and experience and gain new skills.

Professor Neil Turner, Chairman of Kidney Research UK

06

Find out more at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Vital statistics

103

The number of Kidney Research UK grants helping doctors, nurses and researchers throughout the country right now.

£44 million

The amount of money we have invested in vital research since 1985.

50,000

The number of people with kidney failure who are alive today because of the advances we have directly contributed to through our research.

4/5

The number of research projects into kidney disease which go unfunded because we cannot afford to support them.

3,000

The number of people in the UK who die each year while on dialysis.

Find out how you can help support our research by visiting: www.kidneyresearchuk. org/support-us

Health & Lifestyle

Kidney care

Winter flu warning With the winter flu season upon us, kidney patients are being urged to make the most of free NHS vaccinations and reduce their risk of catching the virus.

The Department of Health has warned that while millions of people in the UK are at increased risk from winter flu because of pre-existing conditions, such as kidney disease, only half of all individuals in these clinical risk groups received the flu vaccine in 2010.

Picture this: Competition winner!

Seasonal flu can be life-threatening and last year claimed more than 600 lives in the UK, with 70 per cent of victims aged between 15 and 64.

Those who are eligible to receive the seasonal flu jab free of charge on the NHS include: • Anyone with a long-term condition including kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, liver disease, or heart or chest problems.

• Pregnant women.

• People undergoing medical treatment who may have a compromised immune system.

• People with a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy.

• Everyone aged 65 or over.

A five minute appointment to have the flu vaccination could save your life, and even kidney patients who feel perfectly healthy have been told they should arrange to receive the jab.

News Bite

With 7,000 patients on the UK’s organ transplant list waiting for a kidney, we support a move towards a system of presumed consent for organ donation. To learn more about presumed consent and how it could help save lives, please visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Update’s autumn 2011 edition saw the launch of our fitness photo competition. After countless entries and months of deliberation, we’re pleased to unveil the winning picture!

Eight-year-old Jacob Shoesmith was born with bilateral VUR and had his right kidney removed aged just 14 weeks. This photo of him swimming in the sea off Corfu was taken by mum Nicky while on holiday in August 2011.

Jacob swims twice a week with a local club in Norwich and has recently competed in his first gala.

Congratulations, Jacob. A Kidney Research UK mug, T-shirt and pedometer are on their way to you!

Stefan Booth’s Thai delight Having taken on Kidney Research UK as its charity of the year for 2011, leading food services company L&F Jones has produced a special cookbook packed full of yummy recipes, including some provided by top celebrities.

The cookbook is available to buy through our website – with all proceeds going to fund further research – and includes the following recipe for Thai green chicken curry, provided by Stefan Booth. Bon appétit!

Method 1)

2) 3) 4)

5)

6)

Heat one teaspoon of oil in a wok or large saucepan. Add green curry paste and stir in lemongrass.

Stir in diced chicken pieces and lime leaves until coated in paste .

Add coconut milk, followed by two teaspoons of fish sauce .

Add one finely chopped chilli and simmer uncovered until the chicken is cooked (roughly 15-20 minutes).

Stir regularly to release flavours and add chopped vegetables to suit tastes (Thai courgettes, red pepper and broccoli recommended).

Once cooked, serve with Thai jasmine rice and garnish with fresh coriander.

To purchase a copy of the recipe book visit: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/shop

Ingredients (serves 4) 8 chicken thighs (skinned and boned) 2 teaspoons of ‘Mae Ploy’ green curry paste 2 kaffir lime leaves 1 tin of coconut milk 1 teaspoon of fish sauce 1 stalk of lemongrass 1 finely chopped chilli Call our donation line: 0800 783 2973

07

Latest Research

News from the lab

Investing in the future: research at the Royal Free London’s Royal Free Hospital has a long history of renal research, dating back to the early 1970s.

The current centre for nephrology at the Royal Free was created by merging the academic research centre at University College London Medical School with the clinical service at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust – reflecting the ethos that ideas for new therapies are derived from treating patients and that these patients are the ultimate beneficiaries of breakthroughs made in the laboratory.

In 2009, the laboratories at Royal Free underwent a major refurbishment, vastly improving the facilities there and making it one of the foremost research centres for kidney diseases anywhere in the UK. The refurbishment has allowed several research groups to come together in a shared environment, promoting interaction and collaboration across a number of specialist fields. There has also been a huge

investment in research at the Royal Free, with active grants from Kidney Research UK totalling £800,000 helping to drive essential research into the treatment and prevention of kidney disease.

In October last year, Update was invited to visit the Royal Free Hospital and see how some of the Charity’s research is progressing. Here are just three of the ground-breaking projects we saw...

Scarring and loss of kidney function in polycystic kidney disease Dr Jill Norman

Dr Jill Norman with Dr David Wheeler.

08

Find out more at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic kidney disease which affects around 60,000 people in the UK. The disease frequently leads to renal failure in those it affects and accounts for up to ten per cent of all patients starting dialysis in this country. ADPKD leads to the progressive enlargement of both kidneys, due to the growth of cysts which become surrounded by variable amounts of scar tissue. This scar tissue, or fibrosis, is caused by fibroblast cells and is thought to accelerate the decline in kidney function. However, how or why this happens in ADPKD is currently unknown. Dr Norman’s project sets out to examine cultures of fibroblasts from healthy and ADPKD-affected kidneys – investigating differences in fibroblast behaviour and attempting to identify the molecules which cause fibrosis.

If successful in improving our understanding of how fibrosis develops, this project could pave the way for new therapies to slow the rate of kidney failure in ADPKD patients and delay the need for dialysis.

News from the lab

Latest Research

Cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in kidney patients Dr Xiong Ruan

Dr Xiong Ruan.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of kidney disease and is also responsible for a high proportion of deaths among kidney patients.

As a result, the condition provides the focus for a number of our research projects. Following a grant from Kidney Research UK, Dr Xiong Ruan has been studying cholesterol levels and cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. Normally, human cells synthesise cholesterol on demand. However, Dr Ruan believes that inflammatory stress caused by kidney disease disrupts this process. This causes statins, which can prevent heart disease by powerfully reducing cholesterol levels, to be less effective in kidney patients - accounting for increased rates of cardiovascular death. Dr Ruan will further test the idea that inflammation causes statin resistance and, if successful in proving this to be true, will have taken an important step towards understanding the causes and treatment of cardiovascular disease in kidney patients with chronic inflammation.

Phosphate balance and regulation in chronic kidney disease Grace Lee – PhD Student

Grace Lee, PhD student, with Dr Xiong Ruan.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly associated with increased deposits of calcium in the arteries, which causes them to harden and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Phosphate is a naturally occurring substance which is utilised by the body for a number of purposes, including protein synthesis and skeletal development. Our intake of phosphate from food is balanced within our bodies by regulation between the blood, bones and kidneys. However, this balance is lost in patients with renal failure. The high blood levels of phosphate that commonly occur in CKD patients as a result may underlie the problem of calcium deposition and vascular hardening. Grace Lee is exploring the regulation of phosphate by phosphate transporters, which act on the kidney and gut, and believes the liver plays an important intermediary role in managing phosphate within the body. Her project aims to identify new therapeutic approaches to reduce vascular hardening and ultimately decrease the high risk of cardiovascular disease among CKD patients.

Call our donation line: 0800 783 2973

09

Your Stories

Hope for the future

Why I buy in charity shops Charity shopaholic Tania Egan tells Update her top tips for tackling the stores and why Kidney Research UK is best for bargains...

“If there is one buzz word that seems to be on the lips of many these days, it’s ‘thrifting’ – to be cautious and wise with money.

I for one have always been a fan of thrifting, and Kidney Research UK shops have always lived up to my expectations of quality and excellence. Over time I have developed what I call my ‘nifty thrifting tips’, in order to gain real benefit from my favourite shopping spots. Now, what would I consider my top tips for thrifting? Firstly, one should be regular. I am a creature of habit, and frequent our local Kidney Research UK shop up to twice a week. This way I am always in with a chance of finding that hidden treasure. This goes hand in hand with my second tip, which is to build a rapport with the lovely sales assistants and volunteers who work in the shop. If you are a regular visitor, this is bound to happen. Talk to them if you are looking for something in particular, or to find out when they are more likely to have fresh stock on the shelves. If they know that you are after something, they will keep an eye out for you. This is especially helpful when you shop for seasonal items such as occasional wear. Tip number three would be to shop with the future in mind. We all know Christmas comes once a year, and if it so happens that you need a new outfit for the festive season every year, it is wise to be on the lookout all year round. People tend to have a wardrobe clear-out after Christmas, in the spring time and also as the seasons are changing. Always be on the lookout all year round. This way you are more likely to snap up a good-quality bargain.

“As the January sales arrive, we are all keen to grab a bargain, but the astonishing truth is that you can find a bargain at Kidney Research UK shops all year round, not just in January!

Sometimes you just need to adjust your shop floor habits slightly. As High Street stores have very generic-looking shelves and rails, it can sometimes seem a bit confusing when looking at charity rails where not one item is the same as the next. Thankfully, Kidney Research UK shops pride themselves in their housekeeping and make it easy for shoppers to sift through items in search of the one item that tickles them pink!

So, tip number four is to be patient, to take your time to look and to be thorough. Otherwise, you will miss out on the gems!”

Kidney Research UK has shops in a handful of towns and cities throughout the country. They are often desperate for stock and accept everything from clothes and bedding to books, toys and games – with all proceeds raised from sales going to fund further research into kidney disease.

To find your nearest shop, simply visit: www.kidney researchuk.org/support-us. Alternatively, to request a charity collection from your doorstep, please contact Dorothy Hardie by calling: 0845 070 7601.

“A cure could be just around the corner...”

Jodie Smith (right) with daughter Chloe, 13.

10

Find out more at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org

Jodie Smith suffers from cystinosis – an extremely rare medical condition which leads to numerous health complications, including kidney problems. Born in 1976, Jodie was first diagnosed with the condition aged just 18 months. Doctors informed her parents it was highly likely she would die before she turned 13. “My kidneys were just shrivelling up,” explained Jodie. “I wasn’t eating or growing properly but couldn’t stop drinking. Mum and Dad were told that there wasn’t a lot of hope for me.”

Despite these predictions, Jodie survived early childhood and began peritoneal dialysis shortly after her eighth birthday. After dialysing for a year, Jodie received what would be the first of two kidney transplants but suffered a stroke which paralysed the right side of her body shortly after.

Despite everything she’s been through, Jodie refuses to let her condition get the better of her. Having married and had a child – something doctors said was impossible – she recently began fundraising for the Charity: “Kidney Research UK is incredibly close to my heart and I want to do all I can to help support research into kidney disease. Who knows, a cure could be just around the corner.”

Your messages

Your Messages Letters I had my very successful kidney transplant operation on 19 March 2010, after two years on dialysis. I lost many good friends on dialysis, waiting for a kidney. I can never begin to thank the girl whose kidney I received. She was only 37 but she saved my life, while the guy in the bed next to me got her other kidney. I would also like to say a special thank you to Henry Kimbell – the Kidney Research UK Fundraising Manager. He has been most kind and supportive to me, and made things much easier. I thank him kindly.

Martin Duggan

Update’s Editor, Rachel, says: Thank you for your letter, Caroline, and congratulations to all the children who took part in Portsmouth Grammar Junior School’s sponsored swim for Kidney Research UK. Special thanks must also go to Grace, whose determination to help others affected by kidney disease is an inspiration to us all. We are extremely grateful for the fantastic amount of money that she and her school friends have raised. Without donations such as this, we simply would not be able to continue our life-saving research into kidney disease.

Your Letters

Lady Astor’s legacy

TOP TWEETS Training started officially for @Bupa Running GNR 2012 for @Kidney_Research again. Hopefully try and beat the £700 odd I raised last year!!!

02 Dec – Barry Gemmell (@Bogleshake)

Fantastic fundraiser Grace Acklam.

STAR

Please find enclosed a cheque MESS for £1,860.40, which has been AGE raised by the Year Five and Six Children of Portsmouth Grammar Junior School through a sponsored swim event held in October. The children were inspired to help one of their cohort, Grace Acklam, who suffers with kidney disease. It was her idea to raise money in an effort to promote awareness of all the good work you do. I am sure you will agree that this is a magnificent donation and that Grace should be very proud of what she has achieved.

Caroline Sayers

Met Pixie Lott back stage at BRMB Live!

Having kidney disease does have a positive side! X 29 Nov – (@crazycatlauren) My Mum’s new kidney has started working!!

BEST NEWS EVER! All thanks to the kind person who donated it xx 18 Nov – Felicity Webb (@felicityw1)

Facebook Favourite Two years since my kidney transplant and still can’t thank my donor enough for his wonderful gift. Thank you to my nephew Chris Hastilow. How you have made a difference xx 02 Dec – Barry Gemmell (@Bogleshake)

Special thanks go to all Update readers who sent in donations to the Charity, and particularly those who took the time to write to us. As always, the author of our favourite letter will receive a limited edition Kidney Research UK mug as a prize.

SEND YOUR MESSAGES TO enquiries@kidneyresearchuk.org Kidney Research UK, Nene Hall, Lynch Wood Park, Peterborough PE2 6FZ

Kidney Research UK on Facebook @kidney_research on Twitter

Over the years, gifts in Wills have played a hugely significant role in helping to fund our research, contributing to a number of breakthroughs which have subsequently improved our understanding of kidney disease.

One particular legacy supporter, Rosina Harrison, continues to help the Charity despite having passed away more than 20 years ago. Born in Yorkshire in 1899, Rosina went on to serve as personal maid to Lady Nancy Astor – the first woman MP ever to take up a seat in the House of Commons. After many years in Lady Astor’s employ, Rosina wrote an account of her experiences in a book which has since been published in the UK and America.

Sadly, Rosina Harrison died in 1989 but, having remembered Kidney Research UK in her Will, a proportion of the royalties from her book continue to pass to the Charity through her estate. The book, entitled Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor, has so far raised more than £2,700 for Kidney Research UK. For more information about legacies, please visit: www. kidneyresearchuk.org/support-us

Call our donation line: 0800 783 2973

11

I want to help save lives from kidney disease Please send more information on:

Setting up a fundraising group Receiving a copy of our Christmas catalogue Holding your own fundraising event, eg dinner party Receiving a copy of our supporter newsletter Receiving our e-Newsletter

Leaving a gift in your will to help secure our work for the future Selling lottery tickets to friends and family Taking part in one of our exciting fundraising events Setting up a tribute fund in memory of a loved one

Here is my gift to help beat kidney disease Using this form to make your donation will help us keep our costs down.

Please complete and return to: Kidney Research UK, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR Please make cheque/postal order/CAF voucher payable to Kidney Research UK. Or debit my:

Mastercard

Visa

CAF Charity Card

Maestro/Switch card

With the sum of £ Card No: Valid from:

Maestro only Expiry date:

Issue no:

Name:

Address: Postcode:

Signature:

Date:

Please tick if you would like an acknowledgement of your gift.

If you no longer wish to hear from Kidney Research UK please write to us at the Freepost address above. Registered Charity No. 252892 Registered Scottish Charity No. SC039245

Here is my regular gift to help beat kidney disease Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ballpoint pen and send to: Kidney Research UK, FREEPOST SN1457, Melksham SN12 7BR

Service User Number 5 9 9 6 7 8 Reference (For Kidney Research UK official use only.)

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society To: The Manager Bank/Building Society I would like to donate £

Address: Postcode:

every

month

quarter

First donation to start in the month of:

Name(s) of Account Holder(s): Bank/Building Society account number

Branch Sort Code

Please tick which day of the month you would like your Direct Debit to be withdrawn:

Date:

MGJAN12

15th

30th

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay Kidney Research UK Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

I understand that this Instruction may remain with Kidney Research UK and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Signature(s):

The Direct Debit Guarantee (this guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer) • This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Kidney Research UK will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If you request Kidney Research UK to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.

• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by Kidney Research UK or your Bank or Building Society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Kidney Research UK asks you to.

• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

GetContact in touch:

year

Don’t forget to tick for Gift Aid You can make your gift worth 25% more by making a Gift Aid declaration. Please tick the box below. I am a UK taxpayer and I want Kidney Research UK to claim back the tax on all donations I have made for the four years prior to this year and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify them otherwise.

Tick here

Date:

NB: You must pay an amount of income or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax we reclaim on your donations in each tax year. A tax year is 6 April one year to 5 April the next. You can cancel this declaration at any time.

us:

Kidney Research UK, Nene Hall, Lynch Wood Park, Peterborough PE2 6FZ. Tel 0845 070 7601

Kidney Research UK, Nene Hall, Lynch Wood Park

Join: Kidney Research on070 Facebook Peterborough, PE2 6FZ. Tel:UK 0845 7601 Follow: @kidney_research on Twitter www.kidneyresearchuk.org enquiries@kidneyresearchuk.org

Registered Office: Nene Hall, Lynch Wood Park, Peterborough PE2 6FZ. Kidney Research UK is a limited company registered in England. Registered company No. 905963 Registered Charity No. 252892. Registered Scottish Charity No. SC039245