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Will You Join Us in October for Our Annual Event?
Our main event now takes place on a Sunday at the Hilton Hotel, East Midlands Airport, DE74 2YZ.
The National Kidney Federation would like to invite you to our Annual Event.
The event offers a wonderful chance for patients, families, carers, and colleagues to connect, share their experiences and learn about the latest advancements and support available for kidney health.
Event Details and Pricing
Main Event
Sunday 12 October 2025
Day delegate rate - £55 per person
Join us for an engaging event where you can listen to our speakers and explore our exhibition hall. Enjoy complimentary teas and coffees throughout the day and a buffet lunch. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired.
NKF Members SAVE 10% on the Day Delegate Rate
If you would like to find out more about NKF Membership visit: www.kidney.org.uk/member
Are You Thinking of Staying the Night Before? Join Us for a Buffet and Quiz Night!
Social Evening and Buffet
Saturday 11 October 2025
This is FREE for anyone staying at the hotel on the Saturday evening. (Please book your free buffet when you book your day delegate place).
Hotel Accommodation
£110 single bed and breakfast, £120 double/twin bed and breakfast (Offer includes car parking) this has to be booked directly with the hotel. Please be aware other booking sites may not include breakfast or parking.
Book Hotel Accommodation: www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/emahnhn-91m45896dc3-5095-4cd5-a177-78409d619271/
For more information on the event programme, please visit our website: www.kidney.org.uk/Event/nkf-annual-event-2025
If you wish to book over the telephone please call 01909 544999.
NKF Urges Government to Prioritise Lifesaving At-Home Kidney Treatment
The National Kidney Federation charity along with the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group has released a manifesto - Increasing Home Dialysis in England for the Benefit of Patients and the NHS.
The manifesto, in the form of a report provides recommendations for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the NHS and the kidney community to prioritise home dialysis as a treatment option, empowering kidney patients to advocate for their own care.
As the NHS is under growing pressure, prioritising home dialysis treatment over hospital in-centre treatment offers a practical, cost-effective and patient-centred solution. By doing so, it could save the NHS millions by increasing home dialysis treatment by just 1% (300 patients on home dialysis nationally).
Dialysis is a daily lifesaving treatment that helps to clean your blood when your kidneys are unable to do so. When kidneys fail, they can’t properly filter the blood which can lead to a build-up of harmful waste and excess fluid. Some patients dialyse in hospital, others have equipment installed at home, this depends on what facilities the hospital can offer, medical conditions and personal preference. Home dialysis is a clinically safe and effective alternative to ‘in-centre’ dialysis. It offers patients and their carers greater independence, flexibility and quality of life, with lower infection risk and fewer hospital visits.
Studies show home dialysis can reduce cardiovascular risk, support employment and family life, and improve long-term wellbeing. If home dialysis is chosen, initial treatment and training is given at a renal unit in hospital.
Stark findings revealed that many people in disadvantaged areas, including within our communities, face significant barriers to accessing home dialysis. Only 16% of patients in the UK were on home therapies in 2023 - a decline from previous years. Just 12 of 67 centres exceed the recommended 20% threshold, while 52 are below it. National progress is inconsistent and the main barriers include workforce shortages and lack of specialist staff, uneven funding for training and support, structural inequality in access across ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
The NHS Long Term Plan commits to moving care into the community, digitising services, and focusing on prevention. Home dialysis supports all three aims. It frees hospital capacity, enables remote monitoring, and promotes self-management, resilience and wellbeing.
Many centres across the UK are working hard to increase access to home dialysis through innovation, patient and carer education, staff development and peer support.
Now is the time for improvements with clear national backing, local leadership, and patient involvement, home dialysis can become a more accessible, equitable and sustainable option for many more people across the UK. With collaboration, commitment and accountability, we can achieve and exceed the recommended 20% home dialysis target and in doing so transform lives.
The All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group Summit in May 2025, brought together patients, clinicians, NHS leaders and policymakers to explore progress and challenges in increasing home dialysis across the UK.
The summit showcased inspiring work from renal units and revealed areas of ongoing variation, and the reason behind the variation and highlighted where political and structural support is urgently needed.
National Kidney Federation Chair, David Coyle said; “I spent 8 years on home haemodialysis (HHD) whilst waiting for my second kidney transplant. Dialysing at home provided greater autonomy and better health outcomes. This enabled me to remain in work, and maintain an active family and social life, manage my kidney failure on my own terms. Our aim at the National Kidney Federation is to continue to promote home dialysis and the benefits it can have for patients and their families. I was delighted to hear the speakers at the summit in May talk about the work being done to enable more patients to do dialysis at home, but there is still lots of work to do.”
Nicholas Pape chose to do Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) which is home dialysis treatment and received a kidney from a deceased donor in July 2022. Nicholas has worked with his hospital to determine the best ways to support others going through similar experiences. He said, “My success and independence have been closely tied to the control and autonomy home dialysis provides. While a transplant marks a new chapter, it still requires the same self-discipline and personal responsibility. I’m thankful to have chosen a path that supports this way of life and secures my future.”
Christine Price, a renal nurse since the 1970s, offers a rare and deeply personal insight into the long term benefits of home haemodialysis. Her late husband, Bob, began dialysis in 1981 and continued for more than 40 years – almost entirely at home. Together they built a life shaped by flexibility, resilience and a determination to live fully in the face of a chronic illness. Reflecting, Christine said, “He stayed well because he was in control. And being in control gave him dignity. The greatest takeaway,” she says, “is that being in control leads to a better quality of life. With the right support, more people could benefit. It takes courage – but it’s worth it.”
The next three years are critical. With collaboration, commitment and accountability, the 20% home dialysis target can be achieved and exceed and in doing so, transform lives.
To read the manifesto in full visit: www.kidney.org.uk/home-dialysis-campaign-manifesto
UK Kidney Week in Bournemouth
Andrea Brown, NKF Chief Executive and Pete Revell, Head of Marketing and Fundraising recently visited Bournemouth for UK Kidney Week.
For three days the NKF were on hand to showcase all of our Helpline leaflets to renal healthcare professionals as well as launching a new manifesto, Increasing Home Dialysis in England for the Benefit of Patients and the NHS.
Roll on next year when we will be heading to Harrogate for UK Kidney Week!
Travel & Dialysis - Recording Now Available
Our guest speaker Evgenia Kafousi, Operations Director at Bookdialysis, recently joined us for our Travel and Dialysis Webinar.
During the session, we looked into how Bookdialysis is simplifying travel planning for people on dialysis, offering not only a reliable booking process but also peace of mind. Evgenia gave tips on how to make the most out of your travels, exploring the world safely and without limits.
To catch up and watch the recording visit: www.kidney.org.uk/Event/nkf-webinar-series
Catch Up Anytime, Anywhere!
Our past events and webinar recordings are available on our YouTube Channel ready for you to explore whenever it suits you. We've covered a wide range of important and often overlooked topics including foot care, skin care, sexual relationships, mental health, diet and so much more.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, emotional support or just want to feel more informed, empowered and connected, there's something for everyone.
Check out NKF Webinar Series today and subscribe to our channel to stay updated with the latest content designed to support you on your journey.
www.youtube.com/@nationalkidneyfederation5995
NKF National Peer Support Service Awarded with National Lottery Funding
We’re pleased to announce that we have secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund of £19,019 to help us continue our National Peer Support Service.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, allows us to continue our free peer support service for individuals who have kidney disease including family members, partners or carers of somebody with kidney disease. Our service is a safe space where people affected by kidney disease can connect with ‘peers’ to converse about similar lived experiences and lifestyle stories.
This funding enables us to promote our service through materials like banners and posters in renal units, helping us share our mission more widely with the communities who need us most, while also supporting the recruitment and high quality training of new ‘peers’ as needed, ensuring they have shared experiences or similar journeys to those they support.
All of our peer supporters are fully trained and DBS checked and are between the ages of 20 – 80 years old.
We’re so grateful to the National Lottery players’ support and are thankful for helping us to continue our lifeline of services when our supporters need them most.
For more information on the NKF National Peer Support Service we provide, please read page 8.
Need Someone Who Really Gets It?
Our Trained Peer Supporters Are Here for You
Living with kidney disease can be overwhelming - but you don't have to face it alone.
The NKF National Peer Support Service is a free and confidential service that connects individuals affected by kidney disease - patients, carers and family members - with trained peer supporters who've walked a similar path. Whether you're newly diagnosed, awaiting transplant, or supporting a loved one, this service offers a safe, understanding space to talk, share and be heard.
Our Peer Supporters are real people with real experiences aged 20 to 80 years old. They're fully trained and DBS checked and bring a wide range of lived experiences including:
• Shared care
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Haemodialysis
• Home haemodialysis
• Nocturnal haemodialysis
• Balancing employment while on home dialysis
• Studying while on home dialysis
• Managing home dialysis with a young family
• Travelling while on home dialysis
• Dealing with chronic kidney disease and diabetes
• Preparing to give or receive a transplant
• Post-transplant
• Experiencing transplant rejection
• Receiving a kidney from a living donor
• Receiving a kidney from a deceased donor
In our mission to reach more individuals who could benefit from this service, we are reaching out to ask for your support in spreading the word about our service. By sharing information about the Peer Support Service within your networks, you can help connect more individuals with the support they need.
Request a FREE NKF Peer Support booklet:
Our booklet explains what peer support is, the benefits, and more.
If you would like a hard copy of the booklet, simply email your name, address, and the quantity of leaflets you would like to receive to helpline@kidney.org.uk
*Open Volunteer Opportunity*
We are specifically looking for parents who have experienced kidney failure and have undergone or who are currently undergoing dialysis (either haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) while raising a young family.
Your experience could help us support other young families seeking help with any kidney related issues they may be facing.
Learn more about how you can help here: www.kidney.org.uk/peer-support
Call our Peer Support Service today on 0800 169 09 36 or email helpline@kidney.org.uk or visit: www.kidney.org.uk/peer-support.
WHO Says Yes: Kidney Health is a Global Priority!
As part of the Kidney Charities Together Group we stand with Kidney Care UK, Kidney Research UK, Kidney Wales, Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Charity UK, Popham Kidney Support and UK Kidney Association in welcoming the announcement that the World Health Organization (WHO) has formally adopted a resolution to reduce the burden of kidney disease.
This is a milestone for the kidney community, marking international political recognition of the scale and seriousness of chronic kidney disease. It reflects a shared commitment to prioritising kidney disease alongside other major health conditions such as a stroke, diabetes and cancer
We’re pleased the UK government supported this resolution and we look forward to working with governments and healthcare systems across the UK to ensure kidney disease is taken seriously and given the profile needed to help improve the lives of people with kidney disease and future generations.
You can read more about what that means for people with kidney disease in the UK here: www.kidney.org.uk/news/who-says-yes-kidney-health-is-a-global-priority
Innovative Kidney Disease Screening Project Aims to Tackle Health Inequalities
The National Kidney Federation welcomes the SPOT (Screening, Prevention, Outreach and Treatment) for Health Equity project, which aims to address chronic kidney disease through targeted screening in communities most affected by health inequalities.
This innovative initiative, led by Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria, focuses on early detection of kidney disease in populations where it is often diagnosed too late, when preventative measures are no longer effective.
Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 7.2 million people across the UK, with 3.25 million living with CKD stages three to five. However, diagnosis rates vary significantly between different communities, with those in more deprived areas often receiving diagnoses at later, more serious stages.
The SPOT project directly addresses these disparities by bringing screening programmes into communities with historically lower access to healthcare services and higher rates of conditions that contribute to kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension.
What makes the SPOT initiative particularly promising is its community-centred approach. Rather than expecting patients to navigate complex healthcare systems, SPOT brings screening and education directly to local communities.
Early detection of kidney disease is crucial for effective management and prevention of progression to kidney failure. The SPOT initiative aligns perfectly with the NKF mission to reduce inequalities in kidney care and ensures everyone has access to early diagnosis, regardless of their background or location. For more information about the SPOT for Health Equity project and how it's working to reduce kidney health inequalities visit: https://healthinnovationnenc.org.uk/ what-we-do/improving-population-health/cardiovascular-disease-prevention/chronic-kidney-disease/screening-prevention-outreach-and-treatment-spot-for-health-equity/
DAYLife Summit 2025
Home Dialysis Summit, DAYLife, InterCEPT and the UKKA Home Dialysis Special Interest Group are pleased to announce a follow-up Summit taking place this September.
This year’s event will focus less on policy and strategy, and more on practical steps that centres can take to improve access to - and retention on - home dialysis, alongside relevant educational content.
Please note: This event is for healthcare professionals only.
To register visit: www.ukkidney.org/health-professionals/events/daylife-summit-2025
Take Control of Your Kidney Health and Explore Kidney Beam the World's First Kidney Specific Exercise and Education App
Kidney Beam is being made available via the NHS in certain areas - please check their eligibility page for further information: www.kidneybeam.com/blogs/kidney-beam-am-i-eligible
Minuteful Kidney Marks Huge Milestone
Minuteful Kidney have reached 300,000 patients, of those nearly 114,000 recieved A2/A3 abnormal results, triggering vital follow up with their GP.
And here's the impact: every single one of these patients hadn’t had their uACR checked in over a year before using our service. That’s hundreds of thousands reconnected with kidney health monitoring.
That’s more people tested than the entire populations of Hawaii, Abu Dhabi or Barbados!
An example of how innovation at scale can support earlier detection, equity of access, and alignment with national priorities on chronic disease prevention.
Amazing work from Minuteful Kidney UK and the Team at Healthy.io, we can’t thank you both enough for the work you do to help make kidney patients lives better.
A Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum
Kirit Modi, MBE, Honorary President of the National Kidney Federation, recently attended the National Memorial Arboretum with his wife Meena.
"My wife Meena and I have been planning a visit to this beautiful butterfly memorial in Burton on Trent for some time. It was a most memorable and thought provoking visit and reminded us of 2021 when Meena donated a kidney to me."
A kidney transplant can transform the life of someone with kidney disease. Kidneys are the most commonly donated organs by living people, and about a third of all kidney transplants carried out in the UK are from living donors.
For more information on living kidney donation please visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk/become-a-living-donor/
Registering your decision to be an organ donor takes 2 minutes, for more information about your choices on the NHS Organ Donor Register please visit:
www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/
To register and get your free tickets visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cultural-health-expo-25-kidney-health-tickets-1291144069669?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Blazing Spirits at Leeds Half Marathon
Dialysis Nurse, Garry Balmes, showed true grit running the Leeds Half Marathon in scorching sunshine on Sunday 11th May 2025.
Garry’s efforts are hugely appreciated and thanks to everyone who sponsored him. Every penny Garry has raised will help Bradford KPA support kidney patients and their families, just under a whopping £1,000 will be shared equally between Bradford KPA and the NKF.
Garry managed to do the half marathon in an incredible 2 hours, 4 minutes and 52 seconds!
We asked him some pre race questions to see how he'd been preparing!
How did you prepare for the marathon?
I trained four times a week after work, mostly running 5k on the treadmill, but I’ve also done long runs on Sundays, which are my days off work.
Did you get nervous beforehand?
Not really, I enjoy running, it’s something I do for fun. If anything, the closer the date gets, the more motivated and excited I get. Though, sometimes I do worry about any injuries that could happen during the race but I try not to think about it for the most part.
What the furthest distance you've ever run?
The furthest I’ve ever run is 21.1K!
What did you do to celebrate afterwards? I spent time with my family to celebrate, we had a nice drink and meal.
A big THANK YOU to Garry for showing sheer determination and for supporting Bradford KPA and the National Kidney Federation by taking on Leeds Half Marathon.
Would you like to take part in a joint fundraiser for your local KPA and for the National Kidney Federation?
For more information please contact nkf@kidney.org.uk.
Pictured: Garry on the left just set off to begin his half marathon and Garry pictured right with Sofia and Michaela (Bradford KPA).
Transplant Cricket - A Second Innnings 2025 Ashes Series Winners
The England and Wales Transplant Cricket Club have retained the Transplant Ashes following a 2-1 series win against Lucky Stars Australia Transplant Cricket celebrating their ‘second innings’. This summer, the spirit of international competition met the power of second chances as England and Wales Transplant Cricket took on Lucky Stars Australia Transplant Cricket in the highly anticipated Transplant Cricket Ashes Series 2025. Held across three welcoming community cricket clubs, the series had not only top-level cricket but a powerful message of hope, resilience, and the life-changing impact of organ, tissues, stem cell and bone marrow donation.
The England and Wales Transplant Cricket Club is a representative side of cricketers who have received lifesaving and life changing transplants.
Originally known as Great Britain Transplant Cricket Club, the club was established in 2004 following a challenge set by the Australians at the World Transplant Games, the club was rebranded as England and Wales Transplant Cricket in 2018.
74 players have been capped to date since 2004.
England and Wales Transplant Cricket is open to all transplant recipients, living donors, donor family members, those awaiting transplant and dialysis patients. Players have received all forms of transplants including Kidney, Liver, Lung, Heart, Stem Cell, Bone Marrow, Cornea, and Bowel.
Together they aim to promote the importance of donation and demonstrate the transformative effect it can have, not just for the recipient but also for those around them.
Celebrating their second inning, the players are fortunate to be here today and hope to ensure others in the future can be as fortune by sharing the importance of donation.
June 9th – Chipping Campden Cricket Club, Chipping Campden - 40 Overs
England and Wales Transplant Cricket Won by 161 Runs
EWTCC Player of the match – Tom Coote (Stem Cell Transplant Recipient, Hatherley & Reddings player Gloucestershire) – 43 not out and a catch
Other notable performances from;
Robin Watson (Blockley CC, Gloucestershire) 41 not out
Josh Norris, 2 Wickets and 2 Maidens
June 11th – Haxey Cricket Club, Doncaster, T20
Lucky Stars Australia Won by 5 Wickets
EWTCC Player of the match – Tom Coote (Stem Cell Transplant Recipient, Hatherley & Reddings player Gloucestershire) – 34 not out and 2 wickets
Other notable performances from; David Herbert, 2 Wickets (Langtons CC, Leicestershire)
June 13th – New Farnley Cricket Club, Leeds – 40 Overs
England and Wales Transplant Cricket Won by 113 Runs
EWTCC Player of the match – Ian (Liver Transplant Recipient, Southam CC) – 5 Wickets taken
Other notable performances from;
Robin Watson, 50 not out & a catch (Blockley CC, Gloucestershire)
Nigel Goodger, 51 retired not out & 2 Wickets taken (Shirley CC)
Scott Fairbrass, 51 retired not out
Tom Coote, 2 Wickets taken (Hatherley & Reddings, Gloucestershire)
Notable series performances;
Robin Watson (Kidney Transplant Recipient, Blockley CC) Highest run scorer of the series scoring a total of 91 runs, not out.
Ian Ward (Liver Transplant Recipient, Southam CC) - Highest wicket taker with a total of 7 wickets taken.
Donation: A Lifesaving Legacy
It only takes two minutes to register your decision to donate, every person who joins the NHS Organ Donor Register is potentially giving the greatest gift imaginable—more time, more memories, more life: www.organdonation.nhs.uk
Attend a cricket match
Witness the matches, meet the teams, and experience the emotional and uplifting atmosphere. Follow and the team on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/EnglandTransplantCricket
https://www.instagram.com/ewt_cc/
NKF Helpline - 0800 169 09 36
Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous Nephropathy is a type of Glomerulonephritis.
Glomerulonephritis means inflammation of the filters in the kidney known as glomeruli. The glomeruli filters the blood as it passes through your kidneys and urine is made.
Nephropathy means disease of the kidney.
In Membranous Nephropathy, the glomeruli in the kidney are damaged – the membranes of the glomeruli become thickened. This results in large amounts of protein leaking from the blood into the urine. Healthy kidneys should not leak any protein in the urine.
How is Membranous Nephropathy diagnosed?
Membranous Nephropathy is usually diagnosed by taking a small sample of the kidney (biopsy) and examining it under a microscope. More recently, a blood test called phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies (sometimes known as anti-PLA2R antibodies) has been used to diagnose patients with Membranous Nephropathy.
What causes Membranous Nephropathy?
In most cases, Membranous Nephropathy develops for no known reason. This is called primary Membranous Nephropathy.
Research suggests that this may happen when the body’s immune system makes antibodies (such as anti-PLA2R antibodies) that attack the filters in the kidney that cause the leakage of protein in the urine.In a small number of people, Membranous Nephropathy may be secondary to a particular trigger. These include:
• Diseases of the immune system such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Certain medications
• Certain cancers
• Long term (chronic) infections particularly viral hepatitis
What symptoms and complications might you expect?
Some patients with Membranous Nephropathy will have few symptoms. Others develop nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is when:
• The kidney leaks a lot of protein in the urine – usually more than 3 g in 24 hours
• The protein levels in the blood are low
• There is swelling (oedema) in the body usually in the lower legs and ankles but sometimes around the back and face
• Patients with Nephrotic Syndrome often have frothy urine due to the large amount of protein in the urine.
Sometimes in very severe cases of Nephrotic Syndrome, there is an increased risk of developing:
• Blood clots
• Infections
• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
What will happen to the kidneys in the future?
• In about one third of patients, the protein leakage into the urine goes away by itself. This is called a spontaneous remission.
• In a further one third of patients, the amount of protein leaking in the urine reduces but does not go away completely. We call this a partial remission.
• In the remaining third of patients, the amount of protein leaking into the urine does not improve and the kidney function may get worse. If this happens to you, your doctor may recommend medication to dampen your immune system to stop the kidney function from getting worse.
– Some of this group of patients will go on to get kidney failure, which does not get better. These people will need regular dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant. This happens in about 15% (15 out of 100) of patients with Membranous Nephropathy.
– Kidney failure usually happens about 5 - 10 years after the diagnosis of Membranous Nephropathy, but can happen sooner.
What can I do to stay healthy and help my kidneys?
There are a number of things you can do to help your condition:
• If you smoke you should try to stop. Your GP practice will be able to help you with this.
• You should try to keep your blood pressure well controlled, as this is very important in protecting your kidneys. You will need to buy a blood pressure machine to monitor your blood pressure at home, these can be bought from most chemists. Your doctor will tell you how often you should measure your blood pressure and what your blood pressure target should be.
• You should reduce the amount of salt in your diet, as this will help your blood pressure. Our dietician can give you advice about this as well as other changes to your diet to help control your cholesterol if it is high.
• If you have a lot of swelling (oedema) and are taking water tablets (called diuretics, such as furosemide), to reduce the swelling, it can be useful to weigh yourself regularly. Your doctor can advise you on how often you need to weigh yourself and what to do if the swelling is not improving.
• You can reduce the risk of infections by:
– having a flu vaccine every year
– having a vaccine to protect you against a common lung infection or pneumonia
– having covid vaccinations and boosters when advised.
If you are taking medications that affect your immune system, please inform your practice nurse before you have any vaccine.
• Some patients with Nephrotic Syndrome are at increased risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT). Speak to you doctor if you are planning to go on a long-haul flight.
• It is very important to use contraception and speak to your doctor before getting pregnant. If you think you are pregnant, you must speak to your kidney doctor as soon as possible. This is be cause your medication may need to be changed and you will need to be monitored more closely.
• Try to exercise for 30 minutes, 5 times a week. You can split this into 10 minute sessions if you tire easily.
How is Membranous Nephropathy treated?
You may be started on the following medication:
• Water tablets - known as diuretics (such as furosemide), to help reduce swelling
• Blood pressure tablets – known as antihypertensives (such as ramipril or candesartan), that help lower your blood pressure and reduce the amount of protein leaking into your urine
• Blood thinning tablets – known as anticoagulants (such as warfarin), that reduce the risk of developing blood clots, especially if your protein levels are very low
• Kidney function
• Liver tests, to measure the protein levels in your blood
• Cholesterol levels
• Anti-PLA2R-antibodies
• “Protein Creatinine Ratio (PCR)” or “Albumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR)”, to measure the amount of protein leaking in the urine
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for the information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor. For more information please contact the National Kidney Federation Freephone Helpline on 0800 169 09 36, or email helpline@kidney.org.uk. Our Helpline is open Monday to Thursday 08:30am - 5:00pm and Friday 08:30am - 12:30pm.
Take control of your health and stay empowered with our free information packs - available to order through our Freephone Helpline on 0800 169 09 36
Each pack includes an NKF Helpline contact card, and our dialysis packs also come with an emergency contact card. We also offer pre and post transplant information packs.
To request yours, simply call the number above.
Tummy trouble? Blood in your pee? Speak to your doctor
Speak to your doctor if you have had tummy trouble for 3 weeks or more, such as:
• your tummy feels uncomfortable or you have any pain
• you have diarrhoea or runny poo
You should also speak to your doctor if you have seen blood in your pee, even just once.
It is probably nothing serious, but if it is something serious like cancer, finding it early makes it easier to treat.
Speak to your doctor, they are there to help.
Find out more at nhs.uk/cancersymptoms
We're Half Way There!
The passion and determination of our incredible #KidneyStrutters are shining through once again this year.
From all walks of life, participants have been striding through the month with enthusiasm smashing step goals, tracking progress, and cheering each other on. Thanks to your collective efforts, we've already raised over an incredible £12,000 (and counting)!
Every step isn't just a number - it's a powerful show of commitment to supporting kidney patients across the UK. We've been inspired by the many personal stories shared, and the way you've brought the challenge to life across social media. Your dedication is not only increasing participation but also raising awareness and inspiring others to join.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone taking part and to the friends and families cheering them on and sponsoring. Because of you, we can continue delivering vital patient support services free of charge and push for better care for people living with kidney disease.
Let's keep the momentum going and step boldly and bravely into the second half of the challenge!
Not taking part but want to support? Donate via our Best Foot Forward Challenge JustGiving page:www.justgiving.com/campaign/bestfootforward2025
Sarah Shares Why She Has Taken on the Challenge...
"I had my kidney transplant in 2002. I work full time and I am usually pretty tired after a work day.
My work is home based and mainly involves working online and so is sedentary. This year I decided to sign up to the NKF Best Foot Forward Challenge and raise some money for a great cause.
Whilst I try and walk at the weekend and enjoy walking, I was not sure how easy it would be to commit to doing 70, 951 steps during June.
Here is my progress so far since writing this...
Towards the end of day 9 I have already managed to walk 66,500 steps. I have walked every evening after work (av 5,000 steps)and more at the weekend (av 10,000 steps).
I am really enjoying making the effort to get out and about in the lighter evenings and at weekends and the sense of achievement as I progress.
I am now confident I can make the target steps but want to challenge myself to try and do 2 steps for every person in the UK with kidney failure by the end of June."
Pictured: Sarah enjoying her picturesque walks
Could
You Run the Iconic
London
Marathon in 2026 for the National Kidney Federation?
Just imagine wearing a bright yellow NKF running vest and running towards some of the most iconic landmarks in London with everyone shouting words of encouragement – it could happen to you in less than a years time!
Next year's London Marathon takes place on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
The NKF is looking for one person to run for the charity and raise vital funds.
If this sounds like you, please email pete@kidney.org.uk with your details of why you would like to run for the NKF and how much you hope to raise and how you will raise it.
Patient Participation Opportunities
Life participation in patients with chronic kidney disease
What do we aim to do?
We would like to invite you to participate the SONG Life Participation (LP) validation survey The Standardised Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG) Initiative aims to establish core outcomes to be measured in all trials in chronic kidney disease.
Life participation has been identified by patients, caregivers and health professionals as a critical outcome of importance Life participation refers to the ability to participate in activities that are meaningful and important to patients.
We aim to assess life participation in a way that is meaningful to patients with CKD, their families and health professionals. To do this we have created the SONG LP measure.
Can I participate in the study?
You can participate in the study if you: have chronic kidney disease not yet requiring kidney replacement therapy (and have not received a transplant); are currently receiving dialysis (haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
What does the study involve?
You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire with brief questions about yourself, and meaningful activities The survey will be completed at three time points (baseline [15 minutes to complete], one-week [2 minutes to complete], and 12- months [10 minutes to complete])
Yes, I want to be involved.
Please go to the link below or scan the QR code to complete the consent form You will then be sent the first questionnaire Link: https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=P7YP73FKTDFFN7AR If you have any questions please email Anastasia at anastasia hughes@sydney edu au
Does Peer Support Improve Adjustment to Dialysis and
Transplant? A Research Study
ADVERT FOR NATIONAL RECRUITMENT OF PARTICIPANTS
This research explores how ‘peer support’ might improve a person’s experience of dialysis and transplantation by helping them to better understand what to expect from treatment. Peer support is when people with similar long-term health conditions or health experiences come together to support each other to cope with their illness. Peer support can happen formally when organised by a health service or charity, and informally when talking with a relative or another patient or family member. It can be part of a one-to-one conversation or as part of a group, in face-to-face or online communications.
We are interested in your experience of adjusting and coping with dialysis and/or transplantation and your experience and/or opinions of peer support. We are interested in a range of views and experiences, so you can take part in the study even if you have no experience of peer support.
Taking part involves completing 2 questionnaires: one now, and one in 6 months time. The questionnaire asks about your demographic details, experience of peer support, quality of life, coping and adjustment to kidney disease, expectations of treatment and treatment experience. After completing the second questionnaire we will send you a £15 high street voucher (if you wish) as a thank you for taking part.
You can take part if you are…
• over 18 years of age
• attending an Advanced Kidney Care Clinic and have made a decision about dialysis and/or transplantation options
Please use the link to take part in the questionnaire: https://forms.gle/9fitxZpkJMvjWbXv6
For more information, please contact: Anna Winterbottom by email: anna@winterbottom.co.uk
Are You Impacted by IgA Nephropathy? We Want to Hear From You!
We’re currently working in partnership with CSL Vifor (a pharmaceutical company), healthcare professionals and people living with IgA nephropathy to co-create a series of educational materials on the importance of knowing your numbers.
Our short survey below is to gather your thoughts and experiences to shape these materials, which aim to support people impacted by IgA nephropathy in navigating key tests e.g. proteinuria and blood pressure and creatinine testing in blood to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
The survey is anonymous and for market research purposes only. It should take no longer than five minutes, and the more responses we receive, the more informed our final materials will be. Thank you in advance for taking part, or for passing the link onto someone you know who is impacted by IgA nephropathy.
Survey link: https://ur949wqjbuc.typeform.com/to/M5KlrojA
Let’s work together to spread awareness of kidney disease, and support patients and fa i ies on our journey.
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NKF KPA Members
Currently there are 51 Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs) who are members of the NKF. Please find the details below of the KPAs available or for more information please contact the NKF office on 01909 544 999 or email chris@kidney.org.uk
Addenbrooke's KPA
Barts Renal Patients' Association
Bradford KPA
Bristol Area KPA
Chesterfield KPA
Colchester KPA
Coventry & Warwickshire KPA
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Kidney Association
Dorset KPA
Dudley KPA
Dumfries & Galloway KPA
Exeter & District KPA
Friends of Derriford Hospital Kidney Unit
Gloucestershire Kidney Patients' Association
Guy’s & St.Thomas’ KPA
Heart of England KPA
Humberside KPA
Ipswich & District Kidney Association
Isle of Wight KPA
Kent KPA
King’s KPA
Kernow KPA
Leicestershire KPA
Lister Area KPA
Liverpool KPA
Manchester Royal Infirmary KPA
Manx KPA
North East Kidney Patients' Association (NEKPA)
Northamptonshire KPA
North Staffs & South Cheshire KPA
Nottingham and Notts KPA
Orkney KPA
Queen Elizabeth Hospital KPA
Royal Derby KPA
Royal Free Hospital KPA
Royal London Hospital KPA
Sheffield Area Kidney Association (SAKA)
Scottish Kidney Federation
Shropshire KPA
Six Counties KPA
South Eastern KPA
South East Scotland KPA
Southport Kidney Fund
St Helier and Surrey KPA
Tyneside KPA
United Norwich KPA
Wessex KPA
West London KPA
West Riding KPA
Wrexham Maelor KPA
Ysbyty Gwynedd KPA
Associate Members
British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Danielle's Flutterbyes
K.D.A.R.S
Kidney Cancer UK
UK Renal Social Work Group
If you are a Kidney Patient Association that would like to become an NKF member please contact chris@kidney.org.uk or call 07908 845713.
