Katie’s PKD belly: ‘I can’t believe I carried all that weight’
Back in 2022, during PKD Awareness Week, Katie Banks from Swansea took the brave step of sharing the reality of living with an extremely large ‘PKD belly’.
Katie’s abdomen had become so large that p…
More Than Skin Deep: Why Skin Care Matters with PKD
When we think about Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) we usually think about the kidneys. But kidney disease can affect many parts of the body, including your skin.
As the body's largest organ, your s…
Travelling with PKD on Dialysis
Dialysis doesn’t have to stop you enjoying a holiday, in the UK or abroad. Many destinations and even some cruises offer haemodialysis (HD), while peritoneal dialysis (PD) supplies can often be deliv…
Love Your Liver: A Guide for People with PKD
Love Your Liver Awareness Month, a great opportunity to think about your liver health and how to support this amazing “multi-tasker” of an organ. For many people living with polycystic kidney disease…
Keeping Warm and Well in Winter: A Guide for PKD Patients
Winter can be challenging for people living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and other chronic kidney conditions. Cold weather can make existing health problems harder to manage and may raise blo…
COVID Vaccines,Testing and Treatments – Autumn/Winter
Latest Information, October 2025.
Many people may feel that COVID-19 is “over” and that another vaccine isn’t necessary. However, health officials continue to emphasise that staying up to date with…
Waggon Wheelers ride again
In August, a group of friends from Lincolnshire came together to take part in a very special bike ride, one that carried both personal meaning and a sense of tradition.
The ride first took p…
Why Staying Safe in the Sun Matters if You Have PKD
Who doesn’t look forward to summer — blue skies, longer days, and the chance to enjoy the sunshine? But if you’re living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), are on dialysis, or are a kidney transp…
Mike & Rich LEJOG 2025
On Saturday, June 28th 2025, Mike and Rich set off from Land’s End, determined to reach John O’Groats.
They covered the whopping 874 miles in just over 14 days, overcoming countless challenge…
Don't Kid Yourself! World Kidney Day 2025
Let’s Bust the Myths About Kidney Disease Together!
Tired of hearing "You don’t look ill–it can’t be that bad" or "You can just get a transplant to fix it"?
Join us for World Kidney Day, Thursday 1…
Professor Patricia Wilson and the PKD BioResource Bank
Professor Wilson is an honorary Professor of Medicine at University College London leading research into polycystic kidney diseases and renal development. She is also a PKD Charity trustee.
“Afte…
Energy bills: what are the best ways to save this winter?
The prospect of huge home energy bills this winter means that most of us are desperately searching for ways to reduce how much gas and electricity we use. Follow our top 10 tips and advice for quick…
Keto diets in ADPKD – what are they and do they work?
Keto diets are a hot topic in the PKD community. What are these diets and how much evidence is there that they work?
Many people with PKD are keen to do all they can to slow kidney damage and sta…
ARPKD animated information video
Paediatric nephrologists at Evelina London Children's Hospital are in the process of creating an animated information video to help children (Aged approx. 8-10yrs) and their families learn more about…
Living With a PKD Belly
In the 12 years since 48-year-old Katie was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), her kidneys have grown so large that she is frequently asked, "When's it due?" or "Boy or girl?" by people…
The Dawn of the Artificial Kidney
Artificial kidneys may sound like something from a science fiction movie, but these ground-breaking new treatments are currently being designed and tested across the globe.
These scientific advan…
Lab-grown ‘mini kidneys’ for testing PKD treatments
We interview Professor Patricia Wilson, Trustee of the PKD Charity and Curator of the PKD BioResource, to find out more about new research into the use of lab-grown ‘mini kidneys’ to find new treatme…
Vitamin A and ARPKD links uncovered in study
Research supported by the PKD Charity has uncovered links between vitamin A and ARPKD, which might lead to possible treatments in future.
What does vitamin A do?
Our bodies use vitamin A in a nu…
21k Challenge Hall of Fame – Spring addition
A BIG thank you to all our wonderful supporters that took part in the 21k Challenge in April and May 2021 and raised a whopping £8,300 for PKD Charity. Our largest amount of money raised in this chal…
Domenico - London to Italy
PKD patient - Domenico Sprovier - takes on a challenge of lifetime this Summer by cycling from London to Calabria, Italy in support of PKD Charity and AIRP - Associazione Italiana Rene Policisti…
In Sickness And In Health
As we all rallied to raise awareness of kidneys and kidney health for World Kidney Day, and Salt Awareness in March, we shared the story of one devoted husband who gave the biggest gift of all t…
Volunteer Stories – Annie Smart
Our volunteers are crucial in helping us change lives. The roles are varied – from organising and hosting Meetups, volunteering at our Information Days, supporting our online communities and much mor…
'Ride It! 2020’ for PKD Research
On 18th July, David Morris took on an incredible challenge, and cycled 1000 miles within 24 hours for PKD Charity in honour of his friend with polycystic kidney disease.
Here, David tells us what…
2020 Thank you for taking on the PKD 20k Challenge The Insurance Surgery!
This summer Chris Pullan from The Insurance Surgery went the distance and took part in the PKD 20k Challenge by taking on two rides and clocking in a seriously impressive 67.85 miles!
Chris took…
2020 Raise donations for PKD Charity when you shop with EasyFundraising
Easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into free donations for PKD Charity.
How? Just start your online shopping at easyfundraising, then shop as normal at any one of their 4,200 ret…
MarTech Tracker run their first company half marathon for PKD Charity!
On 29th March, Suzy Dunsford, Tim Nagle and Emma Laing from MarTech Tracker will be taking part in their first company half marathon - the London Landmarks Half Marathon for PKD Charity…
Pioneering study of blood pressure in children and young people at risk of ADPKD
Professor Paul Winyard and colleagues have received a grant from Kidney Research UK to study blood pressure in children and young people at risk of ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease…
James Sandifier's story
On 25th January James Sandifier is organising a 10k Run in Bushy Park as a tribute to his late Dad and in support for his brothers for PKD Charity.
Here, James tells us what prompted him to take…
Organoids - the human kidney structures grown in a lab
Researchers at the University of Washington, USA, have developed techniques to grow kidney structures in the lab. They can even make kidney tubules with polycystic kidney disease. We caught up w…
Taylor Richards - ARPKD PhD student
I am excited to have been awarded a PhD studentship, co-funded by the PKD charity and I can’t wait to start working on this 3-year project on the ‘Molecular Mechanisms of the Fibrocystin-ATMIN intera…
Philippa takes on her first Marathon for PKD
On 8th April Philippa Harpham is running her first ever marathon and it’s all for the PKD Charity.
Here, Philippa tells us what prompted her to take on 26.2 miles:
“I am fundraising for this Cha…
Matthew takes on the London Marathon for PKD
Matthew Smart is one of two lucky runners to receive a PKD Charity place in this year's Virgin London Marathon.
Here, Matthew tells us about his reasons for running for PKD:
"My reasons for runn…
Deb the Donor gives Elaine a second chance at life
As the proud owner of a donated kidney I have a story to tell.
My family illness
Towards the end of 197,4 Mum went to the doctors with what she thought might be a hernia. Looking back, it is str…
Mike takes on the London Marathon for PKD
Mike is one of two runners with a PKD Charity place in the 2018 London Marathon. Here Mike tells us what prompted him to take on such a big challenge for PKD.
"I am an active 29 year old who love…
RaDaR Conference on Rare Disease Day 2018
I was very pleased to accompany our very own Tess and Carol (a fellow PKD patient) to the National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) conference held in honour of World Rare Disease Day 2018 at…
We walked a mile in green for PKD
Kay and her family are passionate about raising awareness and funds for the PKD Charity. Kay tells us about a recent event she helped organise at her children's primary school, Chase Terrace.
"…