Walking in defiance against hereditary kidney disease which killed my mum
A carer from Largs, Scotland, has rallied 15 family members to join her in fighting back against kidney disease at a major fundraising walk in Glasgow.
Christine Paton, 57, lives with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which has profoundly affected multiple generations of her family. Christine’s mum died from the condition in 2001, and it has been inherited by Christine, several of her siblings and their children.
Christine says: “On the day of the walk, my mum would have been 93, so it’s a nice way to remember her together. Our family know how devastating kidney disease can be, and we want to make a difference by raising awareness and funds for research. Many members of our family are still living with the condition and only research can stop it in its tracks.”
The Kidney Research UK Glasgow Bridges Walk will take place on 31 August, beginning at 10am from Glasgow Green. Participants can choose either a one- or six-mile route to complete, and places are still available to join.
Christine says: “I’m looking forward to it. There should be a great atmosphere, walking with hundreds of people wanting to make a difference.”
Hereditary kidney disease
As a young teenager, Christine was tested for PKD along with her eight siblings, after her mum was diagnosed with the condition.
Christine says: “Four of us live with PKD and have been monitored by renal consultants throughout our lives. We saw our mum struggle with the condition and are now facing those challenges ourselves. She had a transplant which lasted for 15 years before it sadly failed, and she needed dialysis. It wasn’t long after that when she died.
“None of my siblings have gone through kidney failure yet, but it happened to me in 2017. It got to the point where I was being prepared to start dialysis but, thankfully, I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-emptive transplant. I felt guilty because I know a lot of people need dialysis for years while they wait for a transplant. I don’t know how I’d have coped.
“After my transplant, it was like night and day. I didn’t realise how unwell I was when my kidneys were declining. It crept up on me and, in hindsight, I can see how tired it made me. Everything changed when I received my transplant, I could’ve run a marathon I had so much energy! I was waking up at five in the morning raring to go, I felt completely different.
“I still need immunosuppressants to prevent transplant rejection. This has left me at higher risk of being affected by conditions including skin cancer, for which I needed treatment earlier this year. However, I have been mostly well over the past eight years.”
Christine received a kidney from a deceased donor, who is always in her thoughts. She says: “I wrote a letter for my donor’s family to express how thankful I am. Words are never enough. It’s hard to explain just how much it has meant to me and my family. Coming so close to dialysis has changed my perspective on life. It makes you appreciate the time you’ve got to do things you enjoy. For me, that means travelling while I’m still able. Somebody has given me a gift, and I don’t want to waste that.”
Walking for future generations
Mum of three, Christine, knows that PKD has been inherited by two of her children, while one is yet to be tested. Her siblings are facing similar concerns, with several nieces and nephews also diagnosed.
Christine says: “Treatment has progressed since my mum was unwell, so I hope it will continue to improve for my children, nieces and nephews. Funding research could allow them to live long lives that aren’t significantly affected by kidney disease. I’d love to see improvements in making more kidneys available for transplantation, as some of my siblings came forward to donate but have been unable to progress beyond being tested.
“This will be our family’s first time at the walk, but, unfortunately, two of my brothers will be unable to join us because of the impact PKD is having on their lives. They experience a lot of fatigue and would find it hard to complete.
“The rest of the family will be walking for them, for mum, and for everyone affected by kidney disease. We want to raise as much awareness and money as possible to support research.”
Join Team Kidney
If you feel inspired by Christine's family experience with kidney disease, sign up to walk with the kidney community at the Glasgow Bridges Walk.
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