Renal nurse, Junard Villanos, and psychotherapist and specialist renal counsellor, Gillian Chumbley, of Cambridge University Hospitals talked about the impact of kidney disease and the importance of research in the video filmed by Kidney Research UK at the Cambridge Dialysis Centre.
Six people die every week waiting for a kidney transplant, and kidney failure is rising with more than 3 million people in the UK suffering serious loss of kidney function.
Senior sister at the Cambridge Dialysis Centre, Charmaine Lee, said: “This film gives a valuable insight into the challenges of kidney disease and the importance of ongoing research. Staff and patients welcomed the opportunity to share their stories and contribute to the valuable work done by Kidney Research UK.”
Aisling McMahon, executive director of research from Kidney Research UK said: “Seeing and hearing the real difference our work makes to staff and patients spurs us on even more with our research. We hope that this film will draw attention to the incredible work NHS staff do, and the resilience, as well as the plight, of people living with kidney disease.”
The film coincides with new figures showing 40 patients donated their organs after death at Addenbrooke’s last year. Their generosity, combined with that of donors at other hospitals, has helped to save or improve the lives of 4,532 people across the UK waiting for a variety of organ transplantations.
Addenbrooke’s, internationally renowned for its transplant programme, ranks third out of the top 20 donor hospitals in the UK, according to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant.
Kidney Research UK has recently announced a new set of grants specifically aimed at transforming transplantation to ensure they last longer and are available to many more patients.
Named after Cambridge University professor Mike Nicholson, the awards will be available to experienced researchers as well as nurturing young talent.
CUH consultant in paediatric intensive care and clinical lead for organ donation, Dr Riaz Kayani, said: “We are proud to have been able to help so many patients this year, but the real heroes are the donors and their families for allowing these procedures to happen.”
View the full film or three short clips here.
More information on the Professor Michael Nicholson Awards
