Advancing kidney research after my mum’s diagnosis
Our annual Glasgow Bridges Walk attracts people from across the UK to raise awareness and funds to support kidney research. Reilteann Saul, a 28-year-old researcher from Merseyside, will be at the event on Sunday 18 August, volunteering her time to welcome walkers and congratulate them with medals for completing either the six or one-mile route.
Reilteann says: “I volunteered at Kidney Research UK’s London Bridges Walk event in July and had great day. It was the first event I’d done and there was such a nice atmosphere. Everyone has their own reasons for taking part, and it was lovely to come together to share that and make a difference. I can’t wait for Glasgow on Sunday.”
Mum’s kidney disease
Reilteann’s mum was diagnosed with kidney disease after high blood pressure damaged her blood vessels and kidney function.
Reilteann says: “My mum is the main reason I wanted to become involved with kidney research. When she told me and my three sisters she had stage three kidney disease, it was shocking. I didn’t know anything about it and thought she might be coming towards the end of her life.
“When I did some research, I realised it is possible to live a long life with kidney disease. Even after kidney failure, treatments like dialysis and transplantation can keep you alive.
“Luckily tiredness is the only thing that Mum struggles with currently. She is taking steps to protect her kidney function, like reducing her salt intake and making sure she’s hydrated, and she’s managing it well. She doesn’t currently need dialysis, and we hope it won’t progress to that point. Dialysis can be really rough, and it can’t replace all the functions of the kidney.
“My siblings and I are monitoring our own health to make sure we don’t develop kidney disease as well. One problem people have is that it is often asymptomatic, and you don’t always know you have it until it is more advanced.”
My kidney research
Reilteann is 18 months into her PhD, working on a research project funded by Kidney Research UK to increase the availability of kidney transplants.
Reilteann says: “I’ve done science all my life, so I knew I was going to do something in that field. I studied regenerative medicine for my master's degree, and when I saw there was a project that linked this with kidney disease, I thought that was perfect for me.
“My work focuses on mimicking renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, which is when the blood supply cuts off from the kidneys and damages them. I’m using a specific type of stem cell you can extract from fat tissue to try and repair that injury in donor kidneys, so more can be available for transplantation.
“At London Bridges Walk, people were telling me about how receiving a transplant and no longer needing dialysis transformed their lives. I’m aware of how important these breakthroughs will be for kidney patients. I’m enjoying the research, and it feels like it’s really going somewhere.”
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Sign up to be part of Team Kidney at the Glasgow Bridges Walk, or sign up for another event.