Everyone's journey with kidney disease is different. It is important to share as many stories so no one feels alone.
Kidney disease took my identity, it took my friends, it took my family, it took my career. The whole trajectory of my life changed. At best, all I can hope for is a transplant - sadly there is no cure.
The western suburbs of Sydney are a disadvantaged area with the fastest growing population of patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Australia. Immigrants from our neighbours, the Pacific Islands, are over represented in our hospitals and dialysis units because of their susceptibility to these diseases.
Mark was 33, fit and healthy with a challenging career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and a great family life when at a routine medical he was told that he had kidney disease and eventually his kidneys would fail.
The journey of a non-directed kidney donor.
Sri’s final ultrasound held a devastating secret. Her baby had a chronic kidney condition. His life was in danger before he was even born.
Kylie’s journey was a difficult one. She had been a healthy, active mum to her young children and family, with no medical issues or constraints on her life. Her kidney disease diagnosis changed everyone’s life.
Author, musician, traveller and transplant recipient. Phillip’s story is one of incredible resilience.
Ana was just 22 when her life was changed forever by kidney failure.
Holly was only 3 months only when she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Read about her story from kidney failure to kidney transplant.
Meet Ethan, aka @diaryofakidneydonor. His journey to becoming a kidney donor began with a conversation about eight years ago, leading up to the transplant in early December, 2023.
Two of Renee’s daughters were diagnosed with kidney disease within weeks of birth.
Chris is celebrating his 10 year kidney-versary in 2024 after spending eight years on haemodialysis.
Boston was just six weeks old when his kidneys started to fail.
Since that day, this brave, bright little boy has been fighting for life.
Kidney problems have been a constant in Nikki’s life.
Jasmyn is not your typical teenager. When she was just 12, she was diagnosed with end stage renal failure — and had to start dialysis.
It was just a standard medical check-up for a job interview — but the results changed Nicholas’ life.
Linda lived with chronic illness and hospitalisation since she was just eight years old.
Can you imagine needing to stay close to a dialysis chair to undergo five hours of treatment, three days a week, every week, just to stay alive?
Stephen recently received a live kidney transplant from his cousin Sally. He shares his story from diagnosis to getting ready for his transplant.
Born with kidney disease but now thankful for her second chance at life
A sister's dedication to help save her brother living with kidney disease
At 20, most young people are having fun. They’re going out with their friends. They’re finding out who they are. They may even be travelling the world. Jess wasn’t.
Rebecca and Brett were as excited as any parents-to-be when they went for their 20-week scan of their baby boy Lachy. But instead they learned some news that changed everything.
Ian's inspiring story of converting a Winnebago to a travelling dialysis bus.
Speaking to other people in the kidney community inspired Brad.
Teresa and Dom's wedding anniversary is extra special - it's their kidneyversary.
In June 2019, Glenis and her family celebrated 50 years since her successful kidney transplant on 1 July 1968.
Luke was diagnosed with end-stage-kidney-disease at just 23 years old. Now, he supports the Kidney Youth Program and is on advisory committees to improve kidney care.
Sandy has lived with and managed Cystinuria since 1971. She maintains her kidney health by drinking adequate water, having regular urinary tests and her cystine levels are stable.
Sheree was 34 years old when she started experiencing blurry vision. She never expected to be diagnosed with kidney disease.
Twenty-nine-year-old Inesh has dialysis three times a week. He started dialysis when he was 20 and shortly after received a kidney transplant from his mum. Sadly, four years later his body rejected the kidney and Inesh started back on dialysis.
Eli was just six years old when he and his mum, Thelma, were told the shocking news that he only had 10% kidney function left.
Kaitlyn lives with kidney disease but refuses to let it take over her life. A self confessed 'frequent flyer' of the Big Red Kidney Bus, she regularly travels.
Rona’s son David was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when he was 22 years old.
It was an overdue checkup that changed Mick and his wife, Sharna's, life forever
Troy was 26 years old when he was diagnosed with kidney disease, within 12 months he commenced dialysis.
Speaking with other kidney patients helped Sally navigate the unknown.
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