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  • The Truth About Dialysis: What No One Tells You

    As a person living with kidney failure and relying on dialysis to survive, and also as the director of the African Caribbean Kidney Education ™ CIC, my mission is to educate and raise awareness about kidney disease and kidney failure, particularly within the Black community, where the risk is disproportionately high. Did you know that Black people are five times more likely to develop kidney disease than other groups? Despite this, kidney disease is rarely discussed in our communities, and by the time many people are diagnosed, it is already too late to prevent long-term damage. I want to change that. I am sharing my personal experience of dialysis, not to complain, but to reveal the truth about what it really means to rely on a machine to stay alive. If this blog inspires even one person to take their kidney health seriously, it will have been worth it. The Harsh Reality of Dialysis When people hear the word "dialysis," they often assume it is just a regular medical treatment - something you undergo and then carry on with your day. The reality could not be further from the truth. Dialysis dominates every part of your life, from your energy levels to your career, your ability to travel, and your mental well-being. Extreme Fatigue : The process of having your blood removed, cleaned, and returned to your body leaves you completely drained. Some describe it as feeling like you have run a marathon - except there is no sense of achievement, just relentless exhaustion. Strict Dietary Restrictions : Everyday foods like bananas, tomatoes, dairy, and even too much water can be dangerous. Managing potassium, phosphorus, and sodium levels becomes a full-time job, and even small mistakes can have serious consequences. Muscle Cramps and Bone Pain : Painful muscle cramps can occur during treatment or randomly, such as in the middle of the night or while driving. Kidney disease also weakens the bones over time, making them brittle and prone to fractures. Emotional and Mental Struggles : The constant hospital visits (typically three times a week for four hours per session), lack of control over your schedule, and uncertainty about the future can lead to depression and anxiety. Many dialysis patients feel isolated, especially when friends and family do not fully understand their experience. Hair Loss and Skin Problems : Many patients experience hair thinning or patchy hair loss due to the medication administered during dialysis, stress, or nutritional deficiencies. Skin can also become dry, itchy, and discoloured, affecting self-esteem. The Hidden Struggle: Dialysis and the Menstrual Cycle One aspect of dialysis that is rarely discussed is menstruation. This issue is often overlooked because the majority of dialysis patients are older or have experienced menstrual irregularities due to advanced kidney disease. However, for younger women like myself, dealing with menstruation while attached to a machine for several hours is both physically and emotionally challenging. The fluid removal process can exacerbate cramping and muscle spasms, especially in the abdominal area. Additionally, the natural loss of blood during menstruation can lead to low blood pressure, which is already a common issue for dialysis patients, causing dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting. There is very little support or guidance available for women who are still menstruating while on dialysis. This lack of research and awareness leaves women like me feeling isolated and unheard, adding to the emotional toll of dialysis. Risk of Infections and Complications I began my dialysis journey in 2022 with peritoneal dialysis, which uses the lining of the abdomen to filter blood. However, in March 2023, I developed pneumonia due to excess fluid in my body. An initial attempt to drain the fluid failed, leading to a life-saving operation on Easter Monday. Following my recovery, I switched to Haemodialysis in June 2023. This more common form of dialysis filters the blood externally through a machine but comes with its own risks, including infections, blood pressure fluctuations, and clotting. Dialysis and the Challenges of Work When I was first diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019 and experienced kidney failure in 2022, I never imagined it would impact my career. I had to change my role at work to fit around my treatment schedule. Even with this adjustment, I often work late into the evening to make up for the time lost during dialysis. I've also worked as a DJ for the past 26 years, travelling around the UK and internationally is essential to my work. However, living on dialysis makes this incredibly difficult. Whether you are a DJ, delivery driver, graphic designer, or shop assistant, dialysis will affect your ability to work. On average, treatment takes 16 hours per week, not including travel time, which can be significantly longer if you rely on hospital transport. The Struggles of Travelling on Dialysis Travel is another challenge if you are going. to be away from your regular dialysis days, for example for a holiday. Before going on holiday, you must find a dialysis unit at your destination, which is not guaranteed and often requires extensive paperwork and tests. I have used the Freedom, the dialysis holiday specialists, to book into a unit in Dubai, the service was excellent, but it was an additional cost on an already expensive trip. If you are travelling outside the UK, you will also have to pay for dialysis - often upwards of £350 per session. A two-week holiday could cost thousands of pounds. Additionally, some units will not accept unvaccinated patients, limiting travel options further. Other Challenges I've faced Hospital Transport : Unreliable and frustrating. After treatment, you may wait up to 90 minutes for collection, and depending on how many other patients are in the vehicle, the journey home could take up to two hours. Racism and Racial Bias : I have experienced racism from other patients and racial bias from medical staff, leading to making formal complaints. This process is time-consuming and stressful at the best of times, but especially when you are balancing life on dialysis. How Can You Avoid Ending Up in This Situation? I share my experience to highlight the severity of what can happen if you neglect your kidney health. Here’s how to protect yourself: Stay Hydrated  - Water helps your kidneys filter waste properly. Eat a Healthy Diet  - Reduce salt, avoid processed foods, and eat fresh, whole foods. Monitor Your Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar  - High blood pressure and diabetes are leading causes of kidney failure. Limit Painkiller Use  - Excessive use of ibuprofen and similar medications can damage your kidneys. Get Regular Check-Ups  - Kidney disease has no early symptoms, so routine tests are essential. This is just a snapshot, there are lots more things that you can do, v isit our website and social media for more Final Thoughts Dialysis is not just a treatment; it is a lifelong commitment that affects every part of your existence. Whilst I am grateful for the treatment that keeps me alive, I want to be honest about the struggles that come with it. Black people are five times more likely to develop kidney disease than other groups, which could lead to kidney failure. We cannot afford to ignore our kidney health. Regular check-ups are your MOT for your body - take them seriously. ​ 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.

  • International Women’s Day: Celebrating Black Women Leading the Fight Against Kidney Disease

    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!

  • Podcast interview with Candice McKenzie: what it really means to rely on dialysis

    Relying on dialysis is more than just a medical treatment As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of living with kidney disease, which has developed into end stage renal disease (ESRD) and now relies on dialysis to survive, I truly understand the importance of raising awareness, especially in the Black African Caribbean communities. This is why I founded the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE). Recently, I was interviewed by Tony Fuel for his excellent House Music Connections Podcast (you may not know that I have been a DJ for 25 years!). We covered a lot of ground, including living with kidney failure, what it really means to rely on dialysis, faith, working in the music industry, and transitioning to founding ACKEE. Relying on dialysis is more than just a medical treatment; it affects every aspect of life. From the physical demands to the emotional and psychological impacts, and event how much it eats into your time, the journey is filled with both challenges and triumphs. During the interview, I shared some of these experiences and how I make it best work for me. I believe that it is so important to share your stories so others can learn from your experiences, be encouraged and inspired, and also for history and legacy purposes. Sharing stories is powerful. It creates connections, fosters understanding, and can be a source of strength for those facing similar challenges. What stories do you have to share with ACKEE? Have you or a loved one experienced living with kidney disease? We would love to hear from you! Your experiences could help someone else find hope and inspiration. Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Together, we can build a supportive community and raise awareness about the realities of living with kidney disease. Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 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.

  • Over 80 Years of Dialysis: A personal reflection on relying on life sustaining technology to survive

    Did you know that the first dialysis machine was invented more than 80 years ago? ​ A Brief History of Dialysis Dialysis is a remarkable medical treatment that has played a crucial role in saving lives since its development in the 1940s. Dr. Willem Kolff, a pioneering Dutch physician, is widely recognised as the father of dialysis. In 1943, he constructed the first dialyser, also known as an artificial kidney, laying the foundation for modern dialysis treatment. Dialysis performs essential functions that your kidneys normally do to maintain the body's balance, such as removing waste and extra fluids, regulating mineral levels in the blood, and helping to control blood pressure. My Personal Journey with Dialysis ​ In 2019, I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, a kidney condition with autoimmune origins. As the disease progressed, my kidneys failed, and in 2022, I began dialysis as part of my ongoing treatment. ​ Initially, I underwent peritoneal dialysis, a form of home dialysis meant to offer flexibility. However, looking back, I found it to be quite restrictive for my lifestyle. I had to administer four fluid exchanges a day, every four hours, making it challenging to plan activities away from home. As someone with a portfolio career, balancing different professions including being a full-time podcast producer, a freelance radio presenter, and a travelling DJ, this restriction proved overwhelming. Traveling, especially overseas, became an incredibly stressful endeavour as I had to manage the logistics of carrying dialysis fluid with me. In March 2023, complications with peritoneal dialysis led to pneumonia, resulting in hospitalisation. It was then, in June 2023, that I decided to switch to hemodialysis via a line. This decision proved to be the best for my health. I now undergo hemodialysis three times a week, with each session lasting 3.5 hours, and I am thriving! I feel that it is important to note that alongside this life-saving treatment, several other factors contribute to my wellbeing. I am fortunate that my dialysis centre is close to my home, and that my sessions are scheduled at midday, allowing me to maintain a balance between work and treatment. I also prioritise a healthy lifestyle, ensuring I eat well, get enough rest, and take necessary supplements to keep my body balanced. Dialysis is not a cure; rather, it is a life-sustaining treatment. Without it, I would not survive. The Mission of ACKEE Having experienced kidney failure firsthand, I am immensely grateful for the availability of dialysis treatment. However, my journey has also taught me the importance of preventing kidney disease as well as having these amazing treatment options available. This realisation led me to establish the African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise (ACKEE). Our mission is simple yet profound: to educate Black African Caribbean communities about kidney health and the importance of organ donation.  By fostering dialogue, promoting healthy lifestyles, and raising awareness, we aim to create a future where kidney disease is less prevalent in the Black community. Our vision is to reduce the number of people dependent on dialysis by advocating for kidney health and encouraging organ donation. I invite you to join us in our mission to advocate and educate. A great place to start is to follow us on social media @wearetheackee  where you can engage with our posts and learn more.  Together, we can make a difference in the fight against kidney disease. ​ ​ 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.

  • Living with Kidney Failure: How an Organ Donation Could Change My Life

    In early 2019 I was constantly tired.  I knew I was working hard as an events producer and also a DJ and radio presenter, so I began to be intentional with having early nights and also ensuring that I was eating healthily.  Despite my best intentions I didn’t notice a change, so I booked an appointment with my GP to request for a blood test.  My doctor called me whilst I was at work with my results and told me that I needed to go the the local hospital immediately for further tests. Hospital consultants carried out various tests including an ultrasound and a biopsy, and a few weeks later I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease.  My kidney function was around 32% at that time. By 2022 I was diagnosed with kidney failure as my kidney function had declined to around 8%, so as part of my ongoing treatment I started dialysis.  I have very small veins so it was decided that I should do peritoneal dialysis rather than have a fistular for hemodialysis.  I had to administer four fluid exchanges a day, every four hours.  As a result, this made it impossible for me to continue working as an events producer in a busy central London office, and I had to change my role.   Doing peritoneal dialysis four times a day also made it very difficult for me to make plans that took me far away from home, as I would have to return home to do dialysis or carry the heavy fluid around with me to do it on the go.  My work as a DJ meant that at times I had to travel, sometimes overseas.  I tried my best to maintain this but the logistics of trying to send the dialysis fluid to the destination ahead of my arrival or to carry it myself in a very large, heavy suitcase, was very stressful. In January 2022, I was added to the NHS Organ Transplant Waiting List, and in a bid to help maintain my life, both of my parents were tested to see if they were a match, however it was confirmed that they are too old and that a younger kidney donor would be preferred. Unfortunately, in March 2023 I developed pneumonia due to complications with peritoneal dialysis and I was hospitalised.  There were complications with attaching the second chest drain to my body to drain the fluid from my lungs, and I had to have an emergency operation.  I spent 3 months in hospital and then a further two weeks in hospital in August 2023 due to infections.   Developing pneumonia and being unwell for a long period of time made me nervous about continuing with peritoneal dialysis, so I made the decision to switch to hemodialysis via a line, not a fistular as I have small veins.  I do dialysis three times a week, 3.5 hours a session. Kidney failure is an invisible illness, on face value, looking at me, perhaps you cannot tell that there is anything wrong with me.  However, kidney failure comes with many other health complications including anaemia, extreme tiredness, vitamin D deficiency, muscle cramps, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and of course needing dialysis to maintain life.  At the time of writing this blog there are currently 6210 people waiting for a kidney donation.  As I wait for the call to be offered the gift of life by having a kidney transplant, I do my best to remain positive.  Whist a kidney transplant is not a cure for kidney disease, it would significantly improve my quality of life. Currently, dialysis keeps me alive, but it also limits my freedom in many ways. The frequent treatments (3.5 hours a session, 3 times a week), which I am very grateful for, tie me to a very strict schedule and make it difficult to travel, work, and enjoy many aspects of life that others might take for granted. Receiving a transplant would remove the need for regular dialysis, freeing me from the machine and allowing me to regain more control over my day to day life. I could enjoy more flexibility, spontaneity, and the ability to make plans without constantly thinking about when I will need to do my next treatment. I would have the energy to focus more on my passions, such as my work in music and events, and to pursue new opportunities that are currently out of reach. That being said, I know that a kidney transplant is not a cure. It is another form of treatment and requires lifelong care, including taking immunosuppressive medications to prevent my body from rejecting the kidney. These medications come with their own risks and side effects, such as a higher likelihood of infections. Even so, a transplant would mean less restriction on my life and offer a level of freedom and normalcy that I have not experienced for a long time. The thought of being able to live more freely again, without the constant burden of dialysis, gives me hope as I wait for a donor. It is a reminder that organ donation has the power to transform lives, not only by extending life but by vastly improving the quality of it. By registering as an organ donor, you have the potential to save lives, offering hope to those like me waiting for a second chance. Will you consider signing up today and making the gift of life possible for someone in need? It only takes just two minutes to register your organ donation decision: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-your-decision/donate/ 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.

  • From Personal Journey to Public Advocacy: Initiative Launched on World Kidney Day to Educate Black Communities on Kidney Health

    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

  • Why you should consider becoming a deceased kidney donor

    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

    "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.

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Community Interest Company - CIC registration: 15550042

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