This International Women’s Day, we are shining a light on five incredible Black women in the UK who are raising awareness, educating communities, and advocating for kidney health, organ donation, and transplantation. Their dedication is transforming lives and breaking barriers in Black African and Caribbean communities.
Candice McKenzie – Founder of African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE)
Candice McKenzie is a multi-award-winning DJ, radio presenter, and kidney donation advocate. In 2019 she was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease and in 2022, she experienced kidney failure, leading her to start dialysis whilst she awaits a kidney transplant.
Motivated by her personal journey, Candice founded the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) on World Kidney Day in March 2024.
ACKEE is a community interest company (CIC) dedicated to educating Black African Caribbean individuals about kidney health, emphasising the importance of caring for their kidneys during life and considering organ donation after death. Through her platform, Candice shares her experiences, offers advice, and collaborates with communities to promote kidney health awareness.
Beverley De-Gale – Co-Founder of African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT)
Beverley De-Gale is the co-founder of the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), an organisation that has been instrumental in increasing Black donor registrations for stem cell, blood, and organ donation since 1996. Inspired by her son Daniel De-Gale’s battle with leukaemia, Beverley and her partner Orin Lewis launched ACLT to address the severe shortage of Black donors.
Over the years, ACLT has helped register thousands of potential donors and has expanded its work to include kidney and organ donation awareness. Beverley has been a powerful advocate for improving donor representation and tackling racial disparities in healthcare.
Cllr Hilaria Asumu – Founder of the Warriors, Survivors & Heroes BME Kidney Network (WSH)
Hilaria Asumu is a kidney transplant recipient and the founder of the Warriors, Survivors & Heroes (WSH) BME Kidney Network, the first Black-led kidney charity in the UK.
After receiving a life-saving transplant in 2018, she became a strong advocate for kidney health within Black and minority ethnic communities.
Through her charity, she provides support to kidney patients and their families, raises awareness about kidney disease and organ donation, and works to address health inequalities. Hilaria is also an organ donation ambassador with NHS Blood and Transplant and a peer educator with Kidney Research UK. In 2021, she was elected as a councillor for Walkden South in Salford City Council, using her platform to advocate for better health outcomes in underrepresented communities.
Dr Dela Idowu – Founder of the Gift of Living Donation (GOLD) Charity and
the Black Living Donor Choir
Dela Idowu is the founder of Gift of Living Donation (GOLD), a charity dedicated to promoting living kidney donation within Black communities. Inspired by her brother’s need for a kidney transplant, she launched GOLD to educate and encourage discussions about organ donation, particularly among Black African and Caribbean families.
In 2022, she also founded the Black Living Donor Choir, a group of Black kidney donors using music to raise awareness about living donation. Through performances and personal storytelling, the choir inspires conversations about kidney health and organ donation. Dela continues to lead impactful initiatives that address the shortage of Black organ donors and support those affected by kidney disease.
Dee Moore – Host of The Award Winning Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast
in Partnership with Kidney Care UK
Dee Moore is a kidney disease advocate and the host of the "Diary of a Kidney Warrior" podcast, which she launched in 2020. After being diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease in 2018, Dee wanted to share her journey and help others navigate life with kidney disease.
The podcast provides valuable information about chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplantation, and overall kidney health.
Featuring interviews with patients, healthcare professionals, and experts, "Diary of a Kidney Warrior" serves as a vital resource for those seeking knowledge, support, and encouragement. Dee is committed to raising awareness, breaking stigma, and providing a voice for kidney warriors in the Black community.
This International Womens Day, we celebrate these powerful women who are making a difference in kidney health and organ donation. Their voices and actions are changing lives, inspiring communities, and saving futures.
Join the conversation! Who inspires you in the fight for better kidney health? Let us know in the comments!
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