Kidney stories
Everyone's journey with kidney disease is different. It is important to share as many stories so no one feels alone.
Mark's Story
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.
Anna's Story
The journey of a non-directed kidney donor.
Leif's Story
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 Story
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.
Phillip's Story
Author, musician, traveller and transplant recipient. Phillip’s story is one of incredible resilience.
Ana's Story
Ana was just 22 when her life was changed forever by kidney failure.
Holly's Story
Holly was only 3 months only when she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Read about her story from kidney failure to kidney transplant.
Diary of a Kidney Donor
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.
Isabelle & Charlotte
Two of Renee’s daughters were diagnosed with kidney disease within weeks of birth.
Chris
Chris is celebrating his 10 year kidney-versary in 2024 after spending eight years on haemodialysis.
Boston's Story
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.
Nikki's story
Kidney problems have been a constant in Nikki’s life.
Jasmyn's Story
Jasmyn is not your typical teenager. When she was just 12, she was diagnosed with end stage renal failure — and had to start dialysis.
Nicholas's Story
It was just a standard medical check-up for a job interview — but the results changed Nicholas’ life.
Linda's Story
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's Story
Stephen recently received a live kidney transplant from his cousin Sally. He shares his story from diagnosis to getting ready for his transplant.
Tegan's Story
Born with kidney disease but now thankful for her second chance at life
Josh & Sarah's Story
A sister's dedication to help save her brother living with kidney disease
Jess - "I received a life-changing gift"
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 - her baby boy Lachy's kidneys failed
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 - the little white kidney bus
Ian's inspiring story of converting a Winnebago to a travelling dialysis bus.
Brad - helping our kidney community
Speaking to other people in the kidney community inspired Brad.
Teresa and Dom - a gift of love
Teresa and Dom's wedding anniversary is extra special - it's their kidneyversary.
Glenis - 50 years kidney strong
In June 2019, Glenis and her family celebrated 50 years since her successful kidney transplant on 1 July 1968.
Luke - developing programs for youth
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's story
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 - no warning signs
Sheree was 34 years old when she started experiencing blurry vision. She never expected to be diagnosed with kidney disease.
Inesh's story
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 - a very brave six year old
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 - living her best life
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 and David - celebrating every milestone
Rona’s son David was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when he was 22 years old.
Mick - "I thought I was bulletproof"
It was an overdue checkup that changed Mick and his wife, Sharna's, life forever
Troy - "I wasn't going to let it beat me"
Troy was 26 years old when he was diagnosed with kidney disease, within 12 months he commenced dialysis.
Sally - forever grateful
Speaking with other kidney patients helped Sally navigate the unknown.
