Joining Kidney Research UK’s Newcastle Bridges Walk in Memory of Grandad
Hundreds of people from the kidney community will be joining forces to take on Kidney Research UK’s Newcastle Bridges Walk on 16 June, raising money for vital research. Among them will be Chloe Hall, 23, from Northumberland, and her family. Chloe and her mum, Emma, have both been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), while her grandad, Derek, passed away from the condition in 2023, aged 68.
The walk, starting at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle will take participants across Newcastle’s famous bridges and past iconic landmarks on their choice of a 1.7- or 6.4-mile route.
Chloe, who is working towards a degree in childhood studies, said: “When we joined the Newcastle Bridges Walk last time, my grandad really enjoyed it. Before he passed away, we’d talk about the kidney walk and he really wanted to do it again. He’d be so happy me, my mam, brother, sister and stepdad are doing it together for him this year.”
Derek was 40 years old before he discovered he’d been living with PKD. Chloe explained: “I hadn’t been born yet, but it came as a big shock to my family and changed everyone’s lives – particularly as the disease was hereditary.
“His kidney disease was found at stage four so there was little that could be done about it. His body began deteriorating and he became less mobile. He had strokes, heart attacks and his mental health was affected a lot. Unfortunately, a kidney transplant wasn’t an option, and he received dialysis three times a week at the Freeman Hospital. That continued until he passed away.
“Kidney disease profoundly impacted Grandad but he tried not to show that to us and still found joy in life.”
Knowing the disease was hereditary, Chloe’s family were tested to see if they’d inherited PKD. Unfortunately, mum, Emma, was found to have the condition, and Chloe also discovered she had the disease at the age of nine.
Chloe said: “I just remember crying. It felt like a death sentence. I’d grown up seeing how kidney disease affected my grandad and was just thinking that would be me one day.
“Grandad’s kidney disease meant I was diagnosed much earlier, so I can take steps to try and slow deterioration of my kidneys. I try to keep as healthy as possible by limiting salt intake and drinking more water. It’s the same with my mam, who is at a similar stage of kidney disease to me.
“Between appointments I feel a lot of nerves that my kidneys might have deteriorated. There is going to come a day when they tell me it has gotten worse. The anticipation of that is scary. Hopefully it won’t get to dialysis for me, and I’ll be able to explore a transplant if it does come to that.”
Kidney disease is often a hidden illness, and Chloe said: “Looking at me you wouldn’t know. I could be sat here in pain, and nobody would have any idea. People don’t realise how serious it is.
“Joining the walk a few years back felt like we were seen for the first time and actually part of a community. Everyone has a different story but you’re all there for the same reason and that’s really reassuring. It’s so interesting to talk to people and I’m excited about going again.”
Marc Shaw, head of community, events and volunteering at Kidney Research UK, said: “Kidney disease is a really common illness that isn’t often spoken about despite the fact there are estimated to be 72,500 people living with chronic kidney disease in Newcastle and Northumberland alone. Our Newcastle Bridges Walk is a fantastic opportunity for patients and their families to meet others, like Chloe, in similar situations and help to bring a community together whilst raising money towards our mission to change lives.”
Join the Kidney Research UK Newcastle Bridges Walks on 16 June: Kidney Research UK Events | Kidney Research UK
Image: Chloe and her family with other walkers at Newcastle Bridges Walk
