Bristol Area Kidney Patient Association

04/10/2026

Bakpa are at the transplant patient education event at the BAWA club Filton
This event is organised by the renal team of Southmead hospital for patients who are hoping to have a kidney transplant either live donor or cadaveric, very informative talks about all the stages of transplantation from the medical teams and very informative talks from patients who have already been through the transplant process and live donors on their experiences of donating, we at BAKPA were able to talk to patients about the work we do and show what we have to offer in our two properties Hales House located close to the hospital for families and patients to stay close to the ward and then McAllister House in Torquay enabling patients of all stages to have an affordable holiday all followed by a stunning buffet lunch.

28/09/2026

This week, I’m joined by Brittany, who shares her journey with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

It’s a really interesting conversation about her journey to getting answers, treatment and something that I think will resonate with a lot of kidney patients — the importance of asking questions and advocating for yourself.

I don’t want to give too much of Brittany’s story away because there are some really interesting parts of her journey that are best heard from Brittany herself!

Just to make you aware of a new Facebook change: Facebook is now limiting Pages to two posts containing external links per month. As BAKPA has a page, I don’t want the podcast post to use up one of your limited link posts unnecessarily.

I’ve therefore written the Facebook copy below without external links and included instructions for people to search for the episode instead.

Here is the ready-to-copy-and-paste wording:

💚 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Living with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

What happens when your kidney function looks good, but something is still telling you that all is not well?

In the latest episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore is joined by Brittany, who shares her lived experience of IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Brittany talks about her journey to getting answers, treatment and the importance of asking questions and advocating for yourself as a kidney patient.

There’s much more to Brittany’s story, so we’ll leave her to tell you herself. 💚

📺 To watch: Search Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast on YouTube and look for “IgA Nephropathy with Normal Kidney Function.”

🎧 To listen: Search Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean or your usual podcast app.

If you watch or listen, let us know what stood out to you from Brittany’s story.



For your reference, Vicky, the direct links are below, but there’s no need to include them in the Facebook post:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/K4kbLGpq08g
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast-kidney-health-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000791960953
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AEAofoP5HpEMUWTJCUv7f
Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-5zb7p-1b6e6e3

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What happens when your kidney function looks normal, but something is still wrong? In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore is joined by Brittany, a wife, mom, veterinary professional and kidney disease advocate, who shares her journey to being diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (...

24/09/2026

Registrations are open!
The National Kidney Federation’s autumn campaign Kick a Habit for Kidney Disease is now open and they’d love for you to get involved.
The would like you to choose one ‘bad’ habit to kick, or to kick start a positive new one, for 31 days in October 2026. What habit would your family, friends or colleagues sponsor you to kick or kick start?
Every pound you raise will help fund the NKF's Patient Helpline and Information Service, supporting thousands of kidney patients and their families across the UK when they need it most.
Support the NKF and sign up today: www.kidney.org.uk/kick-a-habit


We’re also looking for people who would be happy to share a little about their CKD experience, their Kick a Habit challenge and a photo with us as part of the appeal.

If you know someone who might be interested, please encourage them to register and get in touch with our fundraiser Suzanne Rutter via [email protected] or 07752 190693.

People living with chronic kidney disease face challenges every single day. This October, you can help make sure they don't have to face them alone. Take on our Kick a Habit for Kidney Disease challenge and you can help to bring hope to kidney patients and their families across the UK.

17/09/2026

Really good to see this in our hospital at Southmead, this was for staff to gain information because it’s really common to be placed on a non renal ward and suffer AKI due to the lack if knowledge about the condition.

14/09/2026

I'm pleased to share that the latest episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, is now available.

🎙️ Can You Take Protein Powder, Collagen & Creatine With Kidney Disease? A Kidney Dietitian Explains

In this episode, I am joined by Senior Renal Dietitian Tadala, who has over a decade of experience in renal dietetics.

The conversation explores the growing interest in protein powders, collagen and creatine and, importantly, what people living with kidney disease need to consider before using these supplements.

Please see below facebook post ready to copy and paste:

🎙️ NEW DIARY OF A KIDNEY WARRIOR PODCAST EPISODE

Can You Take Protein Powder, Collagen & Creatine With Kidney Disease? A Kidney Dietitian Explains

Protein powders, collagen and creatine are everywhere — but what do people living with kidney disease need to know before taking them? 🤔

In the latest episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, host Dee is joined by Senior Renal Dietitian Tadala to explore these popular supplements through the kidney disease lens.

They discuss:

🥤 Protein powders and CKD
📊 How protein requirements change at different stages of kidney disease
💪 Why people receiving dialysis may need more protein
✨ Collagen and kidney disease
⚠️ Collagen and kidney stone considerations
🏋🏾 Creatine and kidney disease
🩸 The difference between creatine and creatinine
📉 Creatine, creatinine and eGFR results
💧 Creatine, weight changes and dialysis target weight

One of Tadala’s key messages is:

“More isn’t always better.”

Just because a supplement is popular or promoted as healthy doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for everyone living with kidney disease. The episode encourages kidney patients to understand why they are considering a supplement and to discuss their individual needs with their kidney team.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast-kidney-health-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000789496710

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/72X1rMsm5U1PXyzkk060v8?si=dqa_blljTcerK3yZPuouuQ&utm_source=copy-link

🎧 Listen on Podbean:
https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-4zyhg-1b5b348

📺 Watch the full audio + visual episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/LZUVnb2H6Rs

💚 Please share this post with other kidney patients, families and carers who may find the conversation helpful.

This episode is for educational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice. If you have concerns about your health or supplements, please speak with your healthcare professional.

Can you take protein powder, collagen or creatine when you have kid...

12/09/2026

We're sharing an opportunity for kidney patients and carers to help shape the future of kidney care across the UK.

Voices to Vision: Help shape the future of kidney care.

What needs to change to improve kidney care and outcomes? What should be prioritised in a new national kidney disease strategy?

The organisers want to hear directly from patients and carers about their experiences, priorities and ideas for the future.

There are two free virtual listening events taking place:

📅 22 September | 6:00pm–8:00pm
📅 23 September | 12:00pm–2:00pm

The sessions will explore the challenges facing kidney care, opportunities for innovation, future service planning, and how patients and carers can be placed at the heart of a new national kidney disease strategy.

Please share this opportunity with your members and encourage anyone who may be interested to take part.

You can find out more and register your interest, as well as complete the patient and carer listening survey if you have already attended a Voices to Vision event, via:
www.kidney.org.uk/msf-update/

Thank you for helping to make sure the voices of kidney patients and carers are heard.

7 Million Lives at Risk: The Progress and Next Steps to Transforming Community Voices into National Action Over the past 6 months, the kidney community has been campaigning to policy makers for a Kidney Disease Modern Service Framework[1].  October 2025 - open letter calling for a national...

03/09/2026

NEW EPISODE – LIVING KIDNEY DONATION

At just eight years old, Hayley decided that one day she wanted to donate a kidney. Years later, that childhood ambition became a reality when she donated a kidney to a stranger.

In this episode, Hayley shares her living kidney donor journey, including donor assessment and matching, being initially rejected by one transplant centre, meeting her recipient, surgery, recovery and life with one kidney.

The conversation also explores the ripple effect of living kidney donation, the importance of support for donors and Hayley’s advice for anyone considering becoming a living kidney donor.

Please see below Facebook post ready to copy and paste:

At just 8 years old, Hayley decided that one day she wanted to donate a kidney.

Years later, she did exactly that — donating a kidney to a stranger. 💚

In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Hayley shares her remarkable living kidney donor journey — from being initially rejected by one transplant centre, through donor assessment and matching, to surgery, recovery and life with one kidney.

We also talk about the ripple effect of living kidney donation and why Hayley describes her kidney as a gift with no strings attached.

🎥 Watch the audio + visual interview on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/yr3aABwRUQg

🎧 Listen to the audio podcast:

🍏 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast-kidney-health-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000786912135

🎵 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kra51QxOlOG6ciCFkzGF8?si=JyjbQ67-TjygNuY3D4mlmA&utm_source=copy-link

🔗 Podbean:
https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-r7mhi-1b485be

💚 Please watch, listen and share to help raise awareness of living kidney donation.



Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Dee

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Episode 167 Living Kidney Donation Hayley’s Journey from Childhood Dream to Kidney DonorInstagram Square.png

What does it really mean to become a living kidney donor — and what would inspire someone to donate a kidney to a complete stranger? In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore speaks with Hayley about her remarkable living kidney donation journey, which began with a dream she ...

17/08/2026

🩸 NEW PODCAST EPISODE | Vasculitis & Kidney Disease

A new episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast is now available.

In this episode, host Dee Moore is joined by Dr Lauren, a kidney doctor with a special interest in vasculitis, for an informative and accessible conversation about vasculitis and how it can affect the kidneys.

They discuss:

🩸 What vasculitis is
⚠️ Symptoms and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed
🫘 How vasculitis can damage the kidneys
🧪 Tests and kidney biopsy
💊 Treatment for vasculitis
🔄 Remission and relapse
💙 Dialysis and the possibility of kidney recovery
🫀 Kidney transplantation
❤️ Living with vasculitis long term

One of the key messages from the conversation is:

⏰ “Time is kidney.”

The episode also explores how, for some people who initially need dialysis because of vasculitis, treatment may allow enough kidney function to recover for them to come off dialysis.

This episode may be particularly helpful for people living with vasculitis or kidney disease, their families and carers, as well as anyone wanting to understand more about kidney health.

🎥 WATCH – YouTube (audio + visual):
https://youtu.be/rmwZMnQDvWs

LISTEN –🍏Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast-kidney-health-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000783741956

🎵 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3X5hxxY7GS9KIk5Mkuy26b?si=q3_w53c1Q1qXGQAEI0kBRA&utm_source=copy-link

🎧 Podbean:
https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-zufek-1b387e7

📲 Please share this post with anyone who may find the episode helpful.



Dee

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What is vasculitis, and how can it affect your kidneys? In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore is joined by Dr Lauren, a Specialist Training Registrar in Renal Medicine with a special interest in vasculitis. Dr Lauren completed a PhD in ANCA-associated vasculitis at the Univ...

12/08/2026

If you are interested please sign up using the QR code

07/08/2026

Dear Kidney patients

I am sending on details on a study which is looking to recruit Kidney patients to provide feedback on the way it has been written / project design, then potentially to join a steering group.

Subject: Categorising patients with type 1 diabetes using their blood vessel “signature”, to decide who to treat to prevent blood vessel-related disease.

The team are looking to recruit any Kidney patient not only those with diabetes
They should spend about 20 minutes looking over and providing feedback
Those that respond can indicate if they would like to be part of a steering group. This is likely to be twice a year, with payment for time. I suggest online meetings, but they can suggest otherwise.

The attached document to be read and feedback sent to: [email protected]

Rebecca Foster (Ph.D)
Associate Professor in Microvascular Medicine
Deputy Research Director
GW4 INSPIRE Lead
Co-director for MRes Health Sciences Research (Renal)
Bristol Renal
Translational Health Sciences
Bristol Medical School

Heidi Andrew’s

Senior Project Manager
Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre
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