ITV weather presenter and dad to celebrate kidney donation at Newcastle Bridges Walk 16 June 2024 ITV Tyne, Tees and Border weather presenter, Ross Hutchinson, 41, donated a kidney to his dad, Robin, 65, in November last year, after Robin’s kidneys failed. On Sunday 16 June, Ross and Robin will go out together for the first time since their operation to celebrate Father’s Day at Kidney Research UK’s Newcastle Bridges Walk. Robin is travelling up for the walk from his hometown of Surbiton, in Surrey. He said: “It's a really great opportunity for us to spend some time together now we’re bot ..read more

Urgent call to our political leaders at election time 12 June 2024 As the country prepares for a Westminster general election, it is also now a year since we published our report Kidney disease – A UK public health emergency. Action is needed The report clearly spelled out how more than 7million people are already living with kidney disease in the UK – more than 10% of the population – whilst the disease costs the country £7billion a year, a figure that could almost double by 2033. Releasing the independently produced report, we warned that without urgent action the NHS risked being over ..read more

Studying how communication between cells can lead to cyst development in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). 12 June 2024 Dr Rebecca Walker from the University of Sheffield has received a Paediatric Award Grant of £240,000 to study how cell signalling can lead to the growth of kidney cysts in ARPKD and how to prevent it.    “Since little is known about the function of PKHD1, the research will provide some important information about the function and interactions of the gene product, opening up potential future pathways for research and avenues for tr ..read more

Protecting vulnerable individuals from cytomegalovirus: a new approach 12 June 2024 Dr Matthew Reeves from University College London has received a Paediatric Award Research Project Grant of £210,000 to develop a safe and effective vaccine against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in at-risk groups including kidney transplant patients and babies.   The problem  CMV is a common virus which can usually be controlled by the immune system. Over half of the world's population are currently infected with CMV for life. Transplant patients are more vulnerable to CMV infection becau ..read more

Understanding kidney disease risk and treatment possibilities using a new laboratory model 12 June 2024 Dr Helen Weavers from the University of Bristol has received a PhD studentship grant of £100,000 to develop kidney research methods using a new laboratory model.   “We are very excited to receive this studentship award from Kidney Research UK. This work will use a new unconventional approach to understand the biological mechanisms underlying kidney disease and in doing so could identify potential new treatment options.” Helen Weavers. Dr Helen Weavers The problem  ..read more

“Walking London’s Bridges to end kidney disease after my husband’s diagnosis” 11 June 2024 Joining our London Bridges Walk has become an annual tradition for Deb and her daughter, Tasha, from Haverhill in Suffolk, and they will be there again this summer alongside hundreds of people raising money for life-saving kidney research.  Deb and Tasha will participate in the walk, which takes place on Sunday 14 July 2024, for the seventh consecutive year, having first joined in 2018 and walked a virtual event in 2020.  Deb says: “We are looking forward to seeing everyone in July. We lov ..read more

“Celebrating my kidneyversary ten years on from my transplant” 11 June 2024 Diagnosed with kidney disease as a baby, John Savage, from Loughborough, received an organ donation in March 2014 after his kidneys deteriorated. Now aged 43, John and his family are celebrating his tenth kidneyversary.   John says: “My kidney has the nickname ‘Thridney’ because it’s my third kidney, so it’s Thridney’s tenth birthday. We had a little party, and our family came round. My wife, Mel, made a special cake by cutting out a kidney shape from an iced sponge and putting a ten candle on top!  ..read more

“My sudden diagnosis felt like being dropped into a warzone” 10 June 2024 When Nick Angell, a 42-year-old IT professional, left his home in Swindon to attend a training course, the last thing he expected to learn was that his kidneys were failing.  Nick says: “While I was away with work in 2019, I began feeling unwell. I was sick the night before, but just put it down to something I’d eaten. Like a typical man, I found a logical reason and cracked on without worrying about it. Now I look back, I probably was experiencing symptoms of kidney disease, such as cramps and itchy skin. I ..read more

New data science ‘catalyst’ aims to transform kidney patients’ lives 04 June 2024 Nephrologist Dr Samira Bell has been named Associate Director of the new Kidney Data Science Catalyst – a partnership between the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Data Science Centre at Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), Kidney Research UK, and the BHF – where she will lead on urgently needed data-led research to improve kidney and heart health.  About the catalyst Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of adverse outcom ..read more

Farzana’s experience of receiving a kidney and pancreas transplant 31 May 2024 Receiving a kidney transplant is an emotional time, as patients seek a better future, often waiting years for a donor to be found. A successful transplant provides an alternative to exhausting and restrictive dialysis sessions, offering patients the opportunity to live their lives more freely. Transplantation is not a cure for kidney disease and is not always successful, but it is generally the best treatment available. A donated kidney lasts an average of just 20 years but can transform the life of a recipient ..read more