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NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) published the Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation for 2024 to 2025  on the 27 November 2025. This report follows the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2024 to 2025 , published in July 2025, which showed that the UK kidney transplant waiting list has reached a record high. Organ donation among people from ethnic minority backgrounds increased last year, but the number of people from these communities' receiving transplants fell slightly. - NHSBT Organ Donation Press release So if ethnic minority organ donations increase despite a drop in the number of transplants - why are black patients still waiting longer for a kidney transplant than white patients? At the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) we asked a set of questions in our blog “so what does this mean for Black patients?” in July 2025, in the hope that the Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation for 2024/2025 will provide answers. Here are some of the questions that we asked, and what the Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation for 2024 to 2025 told us Q. How many Black patients are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list? A. 1,221 Q. What percentage of people on the kidney transplant waiting list are Black? A. Twelve percent (12%). Q. On average, how long does a Black patient wait for a kidney transplant? A. Five hundred and sixty days (560 days). Q. On average, how long does a White patient wait for a kidney transplant? A. Four hundred and sixty three days (463 days). Q. How many deceased kidney donors were Black in the latest reporting period? A. Twenty four (24). Q. What percentage of deceased kidney donors were Black? A. Two percent (2%). Q. How many Black patients received a decased kidney transplant in 2024 to 2025? A. England: two hundred and eighty one (281), Wales: one (1), Scotland: eight (8), Northern Ireland: one (1) Q. How many living kidney donors were Black? A. Over a five year period between 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025, total of one hundred and six (106). Altruistic: two (2), paired donation, thirteen (13), related or unrelated: ninety one (91) Kidney donor and transplant statistics Information taken from the Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation for 2024 to 2025 Measure Black White Asian Other Source Number on waiting list 1221 6536 1951 304 Page 43 Percentage of waiting list 12% 65% 19% 3% Page 43 Median waiting time 560 463 592 503 Page 33 Deceased kidney donors 24 1217 49 13 Page 43 Deceased kidney donor transplants England 281 Wales 1 Scotland 8 Northern Ireland 1 England 1079 Wales 80 Scotland 114 Northern Ireland 27 England 442 Wales 9 Scotland 9 Northern Ireland 0 England 61 Wales 2 Scotland 2 Northern Ireland 0 Page 40 Living kidney donors (Over a five year period between 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025) 106 3458 301 105 Page 45 Living Kidney donor transplants in the UK (Over a five year period between 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025) Altruistic - 2 Paired - 13 Unrelated - 91 Altruistic - 281 Paired - 634 Unrelated - 2543 Altruistic - 5 Paired - 35 Unrelated - 261 Altruistic - 2 Paired - 12 Unrelated - 91 Page 46 The NHSBT Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation for 2024 to 2025 clearly shows that Black patients wait longer than White patients for a kidney transplant. The median wait for a Black patient is five hundred and sixty days (560 days)  compared with four hundred and sixty three days (463 days)  for a White patient. Candice McKenzie, founder & director at the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise said: “At the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE), we know from speaking to our members about their lived experience that the waiting time for a kidney transplant can be even higher than reported. Using myself as an example, 1,249 days (almost three and a half years) for my own kidney transplant”. Black patients represent twelve percent (12%) of the kidney transplant waiting list, which is 1,221 people out of 10,012 (page 43, table 4.10 Kidney statistics (waiting list as at 31 March), 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025). Yet Black people make up only two percent (2%) of deceased kidney donors in the year 2024 - 2025. This gap matters because the chances of a suitable match are often higher when the donor and recipient share the same ethnicity. It is also known that that people of Black African Caribbean heritage are five times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) than other groups. That elevated risk is linked to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lupus, poorly controlled diabetes and a high sodium diet. The consequence for our community more time living with the burden of a chronic illness like CKD which if develops into kidney failure, will mean time on dialysis. The report shows that across five years there were only 106  Black living kidney donors - an average of just 21 donors  per year. Most Black African Caribbean people would accept a kidney if they needed one, yet fewer register to donate. How would you feel if you found yourself in need and a kidney was not available for you? What action can you take today? A – Take Action and assess your healthHave a full blood test once a year to check how your body is performing. Avoid being in a position to need a kidney transplant, take action today. C – Check for warning signs. Tiredness, cloudy or bloody urine, sudden hair loss, high blood pressure. K – Keep active - Exercise regularly, avoid smoking and limit alcohol. E – Eat well - Fresh fruit and vegetables, drink water, reduce salt and limit processed foods. E – Educate yourself and others - Learn about kidney health and organ donation via our social media @wearetheACKEE on all platforms and our website www.ackee.org.uk  where you can use the link on our site to confirm your organ donation decision.  It is a simple action which only takes two minutes. ​ How can you help ACKEE? Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others, start a conversation about donation in your home, workplace, faith group, and community. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee  on all platforms Donate - What we do at the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise ™ (ACKEE) is only possible because of the generosity of people like you. Kidney disease continues to affect the Black African Caribbean community at a much higher rate than any other group, and many people still do not receive the information, support or early intervention they need. Please make a donation today and help us continue to educate, empower and improve outcomes for our community. Your support can make a life-changing difference.

As we mark Organ Donation Week (22 - 28 September), it is important to highlight the impact of kidney failure and the transformative potential of kidney transplants. Kidney disease can develop quietly and progress rapidly, often without obvious symptoms until kidney function is significantly reduced. Many people are often diagnosed only after experiencing symptoms such as extreme fatigue, foamy or cloudy urine, weight loss or poor appetite, shortness of breath or swollen ankles, feet or hands. Kidney failure is often described as an invisible illness because, on the surface, a person may appear well. However, it is associated with a wide range of health complications, including anaemia, severe fatigue, muscle cramps, high blood pressure, and increased susceptibility to infections. The physical and logistical demands of dialysis can also affect every aspect of a patient’s life, from career opportunities to family responsibilities and social activities. At the time of writing this blog, at the start of Organ Donation Week, almost 7,000 people in the United Kingdom are waiting for a kidney transplant. A kidney transplant is not a cure for kidney disease; it is another form of treatment, but it's a treatment that can significantly improve the quality of life for those who receive one. For those whose kidney function declines to the point of kidney failure, dialysis becomes a life sustaining treatment if they have not found a living donor. This would be either peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis and both styles of treatment requires careful management of fluid intake, nutrition, and medications. The dialysis treatment schedule can be demanding - depending on the style of dialysis it could be multiple sessions a week or multiple sessions a day. Although dialysis is a vital treatment that keeps patients alive while they wait for a kidney transplant, it also places heavy restrictions on their everyday living. Haemodialysis sessions can typically last around three to four hours, three times a week, and peritoneal dialysis could be up to 4 fluid exchanges a during the day, or 8 - 10 hours on an overnight session. Dialysis ties patients to a strict routine and makes it difficult to travel, work, or enjoy the freedom that many others might take for granted. A kidney transplant removes the need for regular dialysis, freeing patients from the machine and allowing them to regain more control over their day-to-day lives. It offers the chance to enjoy greater flexibility, spontaneity, and the ability to make plans without constantly scheduling treatment. Many recipients of a transplant also experience renewed energy to focus on their careers, passions, and new opportunities. Beyond this, kidney transplantation can restore the ability to be fully present with loved ones, to take on the responsibilities of raising children, or to provide care for family members. For children and young adults, it can mean keeping up with education, joining in with friends, and looking forward to a future that illness had placed on hold. It may also mean the joy of spending precious time with grandchildren or simply being able to enjoy the everyday moments that make life meaningful. As kidney failure affects people of every age, the gift of a transplant can transform lives across generations. However, a kidney transplant is not without challenges. It is another form of treatment that requires lifelong care, including taking immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the donated organ. These medications carry risks, such as increased susceptibility to infections. Even so, the benefits of a transplant often include fewer restrictions and a level of freedom and normality that dialysis cannot provide. A kidney donation has the power not only to extend life but also to transform it by vastly improving quality of life. By registering as a deceased organ donor, you have the potential to save lives and bring hope to thousands of people waiting for a second chance. Your decision could mean a child returning to school, a parent being there for their family, or a grandparent enjoying precious time with their grandchildren. Will you consider signing up today and making the gift of life possible for someone in need when you pass away? It takes just two minutes to register your organ donation decision: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate/ ​ How can you help? Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others, start a conversation about donation in your home, workplace, faith group, and community. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee  on all platforms Join the National Health Service Organ Donor Register  and tell your family your decision.

“Millions of people are set to benefit from earlier access to newer type 2 diabetes treatments – the biggest shake-up in care for a decade – as part of NICE’s commitment to re-evaluate priority clinical pathways described in the 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS” ( National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) , 20 August 2025) This announcement from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) marks a major shake-up in type 2 diabetes care, and it brings real hope for kidney health as well as for preventing heart attacks and strokes. For our African and Caribbean communities, this is important news. We know that people of African and Caribbean heritage are up to five times more likely to develop kidney disease than other groups, with type 2 diabetes being one of the leading causes. So, while this guidance is a big step forward, it is vital to ask: who will actually benefit from these life-saving medicines? Why were Black people under-prescribed in the first place? NICE’s own analysis highlights that SGLT-2 inhibitors were under-prescribed  to Black patients, women, and older people. This is not a small oversight. Black people in the United Kingdom are five times more likely to develop kidney disease than other groups, and one of the leading causes is type 2 diabetes. Given this risk, why has there been a delay in ensuring fair access to treatments that can prevent kidney failure? How many Black people are represented in the data? NICE reviewed 590,000 patient records to reach these conclusions. But how many of those records represented Black patients? We would like to know this, because without knowing, how can we be confident that the data reflects the true scale of inequality in prescribing practices? Access: who will actually get these medicines? The new guidance suggests that people should discuss their options with their GP. But what if patients do not see this announcement, or if they are not aware that they can ask for a review? Access cannot rely solely on individuals knowing the system, or seeing a press release. NICE and the NHS need to work directly with Black-led community organisations, faith groups, and patient education networks to ensure the message is heard and acted on. Otherwise, the risk is that the same communities who were under-prescribed in the past will continue to be left behind. Other questions we should be asking Who is NICE partnering with to ensure equitable access for under-represented groups, particularly Black communities? Will there be a national campaign to raise awareness among patients about these new treatment options? How will GPs be supported (and held accountable) to ensure that prescribing inequalities do not continue? How will NICE measure success – will they publish data showing changes in prescribing patterns by ethnicity? What role can Black-led health organisations and patient voices play in shaping how this guidance is rolled out? Moving from policy to real change This guidance could save thousands of lives and prevent many cases of kidney disease. But unless the system actively addresses the barriers to access that Black people face – from lack of awareness to systemic biases in prescribing – the benefits will not be felt equally. Here at the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise, we welcome this major shake up in type 2 diabetes care, as hopefully it will translate into better kidney health, meaning fewer cases of kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure. But we also call on NICE, the NHS, and all partners to work with our communities to ensure that everyone who could benefit from these life saving treatments actually receives them. Because good news is only good if it reaches those who need it most.

On 17 July 2025, NHS Blood and Transplant released the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2024/2025. It shows that the NHS kidney transplant list reaches a record high - so what does that mean for black patients? Here at the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE), we spent some time analysing the data: At a Glance: Kidney Activity 2024/2025 Active waiting list   6939  New kidney only registrations   4669  Deceased kidney donors   1361   Transplants from deceased donors  2 337 (71 % of all kidney transplants) Living kidney donors  964 Living-donor transplants     964 (29 % of all kidney transplants) The latest data on kidney transplantation for the year 2024/2025 provides valuable insight into the current state of kidney donation and transplant activity. The published report states that there are 6939 individuals on the active waiting list for a kidney transplant, highlighting the ongoing demand for donor organs. During this period, there have been 4669 new registrations specifically for kidney-only transplants, reflecting the number of patients newly identified as candidates for this life-saving procedure. Regarding donors, there were 1361 deceased kidney donors whose organs have contributed to saving lives. From these deceased donors, a total of 2337 kidney transplants were performed, accounting for 71 per cent of all kidney transplants carried out in this timeframe. This demonstrates the significant role that deceased donors play in addressing the organ shortage—something that we recognise here at ACKEE, and one of the key reasons our community interest company was founded. Living kidney donors also continue to make a vital contribution. In this period, there were 964 living donors who provided kidneys, which led to exactly 964 living-donor kidney transplants—representing 29 per cent of all kidney transplants during the year. It is important to note that in 2024–25, the number of living kidney donors was equal to the number of living-donor transplants. However, this is not always the case. For example, altruistic donors may start paired exchange chains that result in more transplants than donors, or occasionally, a planned donation may not proceed due to medical factors. Living donation offers an important alternative that can reduce waiting times and improve transplant outcomes for recipients. Together, these figures underscore the critical importance of both deceased and living donors in meeting the needs of patients requiring kidney transplants. The balance between these two sources of kidneys is essential for improving patient survival and quality of life. However, while these numbers offer a national overview, they do not tell the full story for every community. Behind the figures lie stark disparities, particularly for people from Black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, where inequalities in access, donation rates, and outcomes persist, as highlighted in the NHS Blood and Transplant: Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation  for 2022/2023 and also in a more recent report by Dr Alice James which highlighted that black children face inequalities in transplant treatment. At the time of writing this blog, the Ethnicity Differences Report for 2024/2025 has not yet been published. We have reached out to NHS Blood and Transplant to ask when the report will be available, and we were told by a senior communications officer that “we do not have a confirmed date at the moment, but we are looking at November”. At ACKEE, we believe it is crucial to look beyond the headline statistics and ask: As NHS kidney transplant list reaches a record high, who is really waiting, who is really donating, and who is really benefitting? ❓ Questions We Hope the Upcoming Report Will Answer We hope that the forthcoming Ethnicity Differences Report will provide answers to the following questions: 🧾 Access and Waiting List How many Black patients are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list? What percentage of people on the kidney transplant waiting list are Black? On average, how long does a White patient wait for a kidney transplant? On average, how long does a Black patient wait for a kidney transplant? What is the average time from registration to transplant for Black patients compared to White patients? 🏥 Donation Activity How many kidney donors were Black in the latest reporting period? How many living kidney donors were Black? How many deceased kidney donors were Black? What percentage of living kidney donors were Black? What percentage of deceased kidney donors were Black? What proportion of Black patients receive kidneys from donors of the same ethnicity, and how does this impact outcomes? Are there differences in consent rates for organ donation among Black communities? 💉 Transplant Outcomes How many Black patients received a kidney transplant in 2024/25? What are the transplant outcomes (for example, graft survival rates) for Black patients compared to White patients? 📊 Health Disparities and Risk What percentage of the United Kingdom population is affected by chronic kidney disease? How many times more likely are people from Black communities to develop chronic kidney disease compared to White individuals? How successful have NHS campaigns been in increasing donation awareness and registration among Black and other ethnic minority communities? 💭 Closing Thoughts At ACKEE, we believe that everyone should have a fair chance when it comes to kidney health and transplants. The numbers in this report are important, but they do not show the full picture for Black communities. We hope the upcoming Ethnicity Differences Report will give us more answers and help bring about real change. In the meantime, we will keep asking questions, raising awareness, and supporting people affected by kidney disease. Every person matters, and every transplant can change a life. ​ How can you help? Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others, start a conversation about donation in your home, workplace, faith group, and community. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee  on all platforms Join the National Health Service Organ Donor Register  and tell your family your decision.

Academics have found that some children in need of a kidney transplant are facing inequalities in their care. Black children are less likely to be put on the transplant waiting list, as are those from more deprived backgrounds, researchers from the University of Bristol found. There are currently 137 children aged 17 and under on the kidney transplant waiting list in the United Kingdom. “We were particularly struck by how early these disparities appear in the transplant process. It’s not just about who gets a transplant, but who even gets considered in the first place.”— Dr Alice James, lead author Researchers set out to examine whether inequalities exist in access to kidney transplantation among children in the United Kingdom by analysing the UK Renal Registry and NHS Blood and Transplant data between 1996 and 2020. Key Points About Black Children from the Article: Black children are 19 percent less likely to be put on the kidney transplant waiting list compared to their white peers. Once on the waiting list, disadvantages for black children persist, unlike gender and income disparities which reduce after listing. Black children face systemic disadvantages even after being placed on the waitlist, including fewer living donor opportunities. The odds of receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor within two years of being on the waiting list are lower for children of black ethnicity, as well as for those from poorer backgrounds. The study highlights persistent disadvantage for children from black ethnic backgrounds despite the existence of a universal NHS healthcare system, pointing to systemic or cultural barriers beyond access alone. There are currently not enough donors from Black African and Black Caribbean backgrounds, which affects matching and transplant success rates for black children. Kidney failure disproportionately impacts people from Black African and Black Caribbean heritage, underlining the urgent need for targeted donor recruitment and preventive efforts. NHS England has launched a new simple genetic blood test specifically for Black African and Black Caribbean groups to help reduce the risk of kidney failure. You an read more here - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/girls-black-children-face-inequalities-220100948.html My Thoughts: The recent study by academics at the University of Bristol, revealing shocking disparities in kidney transplant access for children in the United Kingdom, exposes a disgraceful and systemic failure that cannot be ignored. It is utterly unacceptable that Black children are 19 percent less likely to be placed on the transplant waiting list compared to their white peers. This is not just a number, it shows, very clearly, that the healthcare system is still failing to treat our children fairly. What is even more alarming is that these inequalities do not vanish once Black children are on the waiting list. Unlike other disparities related to gender or income, Black children continue to face significant barriers, including fewer opportunities for living donor transplants. This entrenched disadvantage speaks to systemic and cultural obstacles that extend far beyond initial access, demanding urgent and sustained intervention. We also want to ask: since the study analysed data from 1996 to 2020, has anything changed since then? At ACKEE, we are keen to know if there has been any improvement between 2020 and 2025. Given this reality, we also ask: how have the outcomes and experiences of our community changed, if at all, in the years since this study’s data ended? Kidney failure disproportionately affects people of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage. Despite this heightened risk, there are still far too few deceased donors from our community, further compounding the difficulty of finding suitable matches for Black children and adults alike. We must do better . It is also vital that we focus on the prevention of kidney disease, alongside a major effort to increase donor rates. With that in mind, we note that NHS England launched a simple genetic blood test earlier this year, aimed specifically at individuals of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage, to help reduce the risk of kidney failure. However, according to the official press release on the NHS website ( NHS England, January 2025 ), as we understand it, this test is only available to people considering becoming living kidney donors. It is not currently a general screening tool for anyone wanting to understand their own risk of developing kidney disease. While this initiative is welcome and an important step in protecting Black living donors, we would strongly urge NHS England to go further. Our communities need accessible and widely available kidney health screening options, tools that support prevention for everyone, not just those considering donation. At ACKEE, we welcome any development that helps reduce the risk of kidney failure and we will be looking more closely at this initiative. Prevention remains one of our key priorities. That is why we strongly encourage regular health check-ups, a full annual blood test or “MOT for your body” including kidney function tests. Early detection and intervention are critical to preventing kidney disease from progressing to failure. As Director of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise, and someone living with kidney failure and currently waiting for a transplant, I call on all healthcare providers, policymakers, and the wider community to confront these inequalities head on. How terrible it is for these children to face such injustice at such a young age. This is a stain on our society that must be eradicated without delay. At ACKEE, we will continue to raise awareness on kidney health and promote deceased kidney donation. You cannot take your organs with you when you die, donating your kidneys when you pass away could save a life, especially the life of a child in need. Our mission is clear: to educate you to care for your kidneys in life, to prevent kidney disease wherever possible, and to encourage kidney donation in death. We will continue to hightlight and fight tirelessly to eliminate these unacceptable disparities and to improve outcomes for Black children, and adults, facing kidney disease and transplantation. ​ How can you help? Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee  on all platforms Do you have ideas on how we can promote deceased kidney donation within the Black African Caribbean community? We welcome collaboration and partnership suggestions. Reach out to us via our contact page  if you believe we can work together.

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. @candicemckenzie | www.ackee.org.uk 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. @ beverleydegaleobe | www.aclt.org 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. @ hilariaasumuofficial | www.wshbmenetwork.org.uk 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. @giftoflivingdonation | www.giftoflivingdonation.co.uk  | www.blacklivingdonorchoir.org.uk 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. @diaryofakidneywarrior | www.diaryofakidneywarrior.podbean.com 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!

On World Kidney Day, 14 March 2024, DJ & Radio Presenter Candice McKenzie is launching the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise ™ (ACKEE), a community interest company dedicated to addressing the disparity in kidney health within Black African Caribbean communities. ​ Did you know that people from Black communities are five times more likely to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) than other groups? Factors such as hypertension, diabetes, genetic predisposition, dietary habits, and a lack of health discussions within the community contribute to this disparity. ​ Candice McKenzie understands this challenge firsthand. Diagnosed with IgA nephropathy in 2019, she experienced the complexities of kidney disease and its impact on life. IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is an autoimmune condition with varying symptoms that may go unnoticed for years. As kidney function declines, complications such as high blood pressure and the need for dialysis or a transplant arise. ​ In 2022, Candice’s kidneys failed, leading her to start dialysis to sustain her life as she waits for a kidney transplant. Her journey underscores the pressing need for awareness and action within Black communities. 2022/2023 NHS data reveals a stark reality: although Black people represent 13% of the kidney transplant waiting list, only 2% of deceased kidney donors are Black. ​ Candice is committed to changing this narrative, which is why she is launching ACKEE on World Kidney Day. ​ "This World Kidney Day, I am keen to speak about my personal experience in a bid to raise awareness on the importance of kidney health so others can avoid being in the same situation that I find myself in," says Candice. ​ Through advocacy and education, Candice strives to reduce the number of people in the black African Caribbean community developing kidney disease and going on to have kidney failure and needing a transplant. ​ "I also want to raise awareness on the strong need for Black African Caribbean people to donate their organs when they die," she adds. ​ "This World Kidney Day, we need people from the Black African Caribbean community to: ​ Make a commitment to learn more about looking after their kidneys, a good place to start is the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise ™ - follow @ wearetheACKEE  on major social media platforms. ​ Record their organ donation decision and share their decision with their family members. ENDS Notes for editors ​ The African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE) ™ is a registered Community Interest Company passionate about educating Black African Caribbean people to care for their kidneys in life and to donate them in death. ​ For more information, to request an interview or to sign up to receive ACKEE press releases, please get in touch with our team: news@ackee.org.uk

As we launch the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) on World Kidney Day, 14 March 2024, there are 5808 people active on the kidney transplant list, including myself. It is estimated that around 7.2 million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-5, making it the 10th biggest killer worldwide. As CKD progresses, kidneys can fail (known as end-stage renal disease), losing their ability to function properly. This results in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant (from a living or deceased donor) to survive. Neither is a permanent cure, they are only temporary treatments to help sustain life. I completely understand and appreciate that being a living kidney donor for someone in need of a kidney is a major life-changing decision, one not to be taken lightly. However, if done, it can give the gift of life that I, and so many others, desperately require. However, there is a strong need for Black African Caribbean people to donate their organs in the event of their death. Let me explain why. Donated organs can be used to save or transform the life of someone urgently in need. The best match for organ donation typically comes from someone of the same ethnicity due to the need for similarities in blood and tissue. The NHS Blood and Transplant Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation 2022/2023 shows that Black people represented 2% of deceased kidney donors, 12% of deceased kidney donor transplants, and 13% of the kidney transplant waiting list. The report also shows that Black patients wait on average 649 days for a kidney, highlighting the urgent need for more Black people to donate to reduce the waiting time. Black patients have to wait significantly longer for a successful match than white patients due to a shortage of suitably matched donors. If more Black people donated their organs after death, transplant waiting times would reduce. Unfortunately, nobody lives forever, and we cannot take our organs with us when we die. What we can do is leave a rich legacy and help another person live a little longer, as our organs can be used to save or transform the life of someone urgently in need. How can you help? Consider becoming a deceased kidney donor Share your decision with your family Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee Do you have ideas on how we can promote deceased kidney donation within the Black African Caribbean community? We welcome collaboration and partnership suggestions. Reach out to us via our contact page if you believe we can work together.

"Black patients wait 6 months longer for a kidney transplant than white patients." This stark reality was highlighted in the NHS Blood and Transplant Annual Report on Ethnicity Differences in Organ Donation and Transplantation 2022/2023, first published in October 2023. The NHS data shows that Black patients are waiting significantly longer for a kidney transplant than white patients. Median waits are 649 days for Black patients compared to 463 days for white patients (page 13 of the report). In 2021/2022, median waits were 735 days for Black patients and 488 days for white patients. While it is encouraging to see that the waiting times have reduced, there is still a long way to go. There is an urgent need for Black African Caribbean people to donate their organs in the event of their death. Unfortunately, nobody lives forever, and we cannot take our organs with us when we die. What we can do is leave a rich legacy and help another person live a little longer. Our organs can be used to save or transform the life of someone urgently in need. How can you help? Consider becoming a deceased kidney donor Share your decision with your family Share this blog and the work of the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise™ (ACKEE) to help inform and educate others. Also find us on social media @wearetheackee Do you have ideas on how we can promote deceased kidney donation within the Black African Caribbean community? We welcome collaboration and partnership suggestions. Reach out to us via our contact page if you believe we can work together.