Donation protected
In February 2024, I received a life-saving kidney transplant after being on dialysis for 3 years, I can’t lie that time of dialysis was crazy, living to stay alive it really leaves you with no quality of life so I refuse for that to be an option again.
my transplant was a perfect match, and for the first time in a long time, things were starting to look up. I was discharged from hospital after just seven days, and began the journey of recovery. I was eating well, slowly getting back into exercise, and trying to do everything I could to protect my new kidney and rebuild my life.
But just two months later, everything changed.
I started getting frequent infections, UTIs, and even food poisoning — all of which began to put pressure on my kidney. My creatinine levels began rising, and although I kept raising concerns, my symptoms were downplayed or ignored. Appointments were spaced weeks apart. Doctors didn’t really know what was happening and wasn’t staying in top of treatments and observations. On the outside, I looked fine — but on the inside, my body was struggling to keep my kidney. I lied to a lot of people telling them I was fine because I just didn’t have the mental capacity to explain to someone and be reminded every time
To make things harder, I had no one around me. I live alone, and I didn’t receive any support from family or friends during my recovery. My health has always been a sensitive topic in my family, and with many of them battling their own issues and addictions, I was left to carry the weight of everything by myself. Mentally, it was incredibly difficult. Physically, even making a cup of tea or preparing food became exhausting. I was hospitalised twice last year for starvation and malnutrition simply because I didn’t have anyone to help when I couldn’t take care of myself.
Since then, life has been stuck in survival mode. I haven’t been able to work or travel, and the isolation has been overwhelming. Even now, something as simple as doing one errand can leave me wiped out for hours. Despite my condition worsening, my medical team delayed essential tests — and when a biopsy was finally suggested, I asked for anxiety support due to past trauma. Instead of understanding, I was mocked and pressured into going ahead without the care I needed. I couldn’t go through with it, and from that point on, I felt completely dismissed.
Eventually, I was told that my transplant was failing and I’d need to go back on the list.
That shocked me a lot as it was not coming I expected, being so positive about the situation I was in complete shock. I’d spent 10 years trusting the same hospital and doctors. I walked out that day and never returned. For the past 6 months, I had no formal medical care. I’ve been trying to protect this kidney and manage my health the best I can on my own. I’ve recently changed hospitals and had my first appointment with a new renal team — which I’m hopeful about — but time is running out in reality, I’m not sure how long my kidney will last without some sort of intervention.
the problem with the UK is they don’t have solutions for failing or rejecting transplants and want to put you back on dialysis as quick as possible.
Right now, my kidney is functioning at just 11%. Behind closed doors dialysis was one of the most difficult periods of my life. I’m doing everything I can to avoid going back to that — but I need help.
Despite how hard things have been, I’ve decided not to give up. I’ve recently been accepted into an interior design course — something I’ve always dreamed of. Creativity has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, but illness has stolen so many years from me. This course gives me something to look forward to, something that brings me joy and a sense of purpose. And I can’t wait to start my life once I pass this qualification next year god willing!
At my last clinic appointment on June 13th, I was given three options:
• Go back on the transplant list (and live with four kidneys),
• Return to dialysis with no clear transplant timeline, or
• Begin planning end-of-life care.
Hearing those options was really shocking as I never expected it. After everything I’ve already experienced, I just felt completely overwhelmed. I’ve always been a strong person, but this journey has pushed me to my limit. For the first time in my life, I’ve found myself questioning how much more I can take. But even though I’m exhausted, I know I’m not ready to give up yet.
That’s why I’m asking for help.
I want to get a second opinion from specialists at Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic in the USA — two of the best hospitals in the world for transplant care. They have some of the highest success rates when it comes to treating transplant failure, and I believe they may offer treatments and answers that I haven’t received here in the UK. I want to know I’ve done everything I can to save this kidney before it’s too late.
The cost of consultations, tests, flights, accommodation, and basic needs while I’m there is more than I can afford alone. I’ve estimated needing around £12,000 — enough to cover the full trip, care for my emotional support dog while I’m away, and anything unexpected that may arise during or after treatment.
Before all this, I believed deeply in natural healing. I managed to put my kidney disease into remission three times using plant-based and holistic approaches. But without a support system, I couldn’t keep going, and I eventually had to start dialysis four years ago. Since then, it’s been a constant fight of trying to stay alive to be honest, that’s why I spent most years silent.
If you’ve read this far, thank you so much. Writing this and asking for help has taken everything in me. I’ve always tried to be strong and handle things on my own — but I know I can’t do this by myself
If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, I’m super grateful. And if you’re not in a position to give, please consider sharing this, it truly helps
Thank you for listening!
With love,
Saphron Lee-Own
Organizer
Saphron Lee-Own
Organizer