Now 42, Mark Pope has been waiting for a kidney transplant almost all his adult life, but his kidney story goes all the wayback to childhood.

Research saves lives. Please help us fi nd the answer. Research saves lives. Please help us fi nd the answer.

Four-year-old Stevie Plavecz-Maples has never eaten chips, never been swimming, and he’s not even allowed to have a bath.His body cannot process certain foods and his catheter means he can only have showers.

Born with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a blocked urethra, which has already destroyed his kidneys, the Peterborough youngster’s only hope of a ‘normal’ life is a kidney transplant.

Until then, Stevie’s dialysis routine will continue: 10 hours at a time, six nights a week, hooked up to the machine beside his bed.

Two years ago, he had a kidney transplant, but his body rejected the new kidney. He’s waiting now for another kidney to become available.

Even then, the average kidney transplant only lasts about 10 to 15 years, so it is likely Stevie will need multiple transplants in his lifetime.

With a grant of £99,707from us, Dr John Bradley has made a breakthrough that could one day lead to a new treatment for kidney cancer. We are funding the next stage of his vital research,in partnership withGarfi eld Weston.

DR JOHN BRADLEY IS SEARCHINGFOR A CURE FOR KIDNEY CANCER

The team has been studying a special protein called TNF, which can tell cells to die, or to divide and grow. Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to grow uncontrollably and Dr Bradley’s research may one day make it possible to use TNF to instruct cells in a kidney tumour to die, stopping the growth of the cancerous tumour.

There is a second, equally vital, application of Dr Bradley’s discovery. By telling kidney cells to grow, it may be possible to repair damaged kidneys. Kidney scarring is the number one cause of kidney failure. This breakthrough could save and prolong the lives of thousands of patients every year.

Call 0800 783 2973 Give online at

...IS ANOTHER REASON WHYSTEVIE’S 10 HOURS ON DIALYSIS EVERY NIGHT...

MARK’S 17 YEAR WAIT FOR A TRANSPLANT...

Although unaware of it, Mark had a childhood bladder problem that left his kidneys severely scarred. It was only picked up, when he had repeated urinary infections, at the age of 19. But by then it was far too late to repair.

For six years his kidney damage was closely monitored and when the need for a transplant became urgent his Dad volunteered to help.

Unfortunately this transplant proved unsuccessful, and complications from the surgery lead to Mark having a blood clot on his lung and a cardiac arrest.

Thankfully Mark survived this and has led a full life, despite being on dialysis of various forms for the 17 years since. Not to mention being called in up to 15 times for transplant matches, none of which have been suitable.

Retired on medical advice at 42, having been a washing machine repairman all his working life, Mark now volunteers for Kidney Research UK and remains de� antly optimistic, despite all he’sbeen through…

“ Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy life, go on holiday and never let it grind me down. What else can I do? With dialysis you do it or you die…”

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