Transplant patient praises vital charity

Today, March 14, is World Kidney Day and to mark the occasion, South Eastern Kidney Patients Association (SEKPA), a registered charity, has unveiled its striking new logo.

Helga Raitt from Clayton Avenue is closely involved with SEKPA for personal reasons. After being diagnosed with kidney disease, she had dialysis and then a kidney transplant.

Helga said: “Due to unfortunate circumstances the kidney failed and had to be removed the next day. More dialysis followed and in 2003 I received a second transplant which was successful and sustained me through two cancers.

“I realised how lucky I have been to have had two chances and I wanted to give something back for all the care and skill I had received and as a ‘thank you’ to my anonymous kidney donor.”

Helga joined SEKPA as a volunteer and is now the honorary welfare officer. Over the years, the charity has worked tirelessly, together with a huge number of friends, families and members of staff at the Sussex Kidney Unit to raise funds to buy special equipment.

SEKPA provides welfare payments for patients in need, produces information leaflets and has been able to contribute to research projects from the proceeds of fund-raising events.

Helga said: “The charity has received many donations and legacies and hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised to improve the lives of patients.”

The charity was formed in 1980 by a group of kidney patients in Sussex who wanted to make contact with other patients and families in a similar situation to see how they were coping.

Patients are treated in the Sussex Kidney Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and at satellite dialysis units, including one at Crawley. Some patients are able to carry out their treatment at home.

SEKPA welcomes volunteers to help out and to serve on the committee, which meets bi-monthly.To volunteer, please e-email: [email protected]. SEKPA’s website is at: sekpa