About us Who's Who Who's Who Elected Officers Chairman - Jim Higgins - Northamptonshire KPA Born and raised in central London just after the war, Jim married Marion in 1967 and moved to Northampton in 1975. Marion was told her kidneys were not well and she started dialysis in 2000. Together, they went through all forms of dialysis available. This sparked his interest in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and along with a few other patients and carers, he formed the Northamptonshire KPA in 2003. He then became aware of the NKF and how important it was for all kidney patients at a national level, helping to form pathways with the NHS and parliament. Jim's working life was spent in the transport industry and he retired aged 56 to care for Marion, who sadly passed away in 2015. He has remained committed to the NKF since as he believes the charity is important to kidney patients. Vice-Chairman - Brian Child - North East KPA (NEKPA) Brian worked in the chemical and telecommunications industries for over 40 years before taking early retirement in 2006 to become full-time carer for his wife when she elected for home haemodialysis. At that point she had been a renal patient for over 30 years, including 14 years as a transplant recipient. A member of Addenbrooke's, North Tyne and North East KPAs, Brian joined the committee of the NEKPA in 2014 and became chairman following the sudden death of its then-chairman in 2017. Brian joined the executive committee of NKF in 2018 and became vice-chairman in 2019. Treasurer - Michael Sinfield - Six Counties KPA Michael received a kidney transplant in August 1995. He had PTLD (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder) in 2001 but had a course of chemotherapy which sorted out the lymphoma. With a change of medication all has been well since. Michael has PKD and was fortunate enough to receive a transplant before needing dialysis. He works as a chartered accountant. Secretary - George Palmer - Exeter & District KPA George was first diagnosed with end-stage renal failure at 43 years old after having no previous problems with his kidneys. Prior to his diagnosis, George was a qualified solicitor and partner at a firm in Exeter. Within a few months he was on dialysis - initially peritoneal and then haemodialysis. By 2015 he was receiving in-centre haemodialysis, six days per week and had retired from work. Since then he has received a transplant and spends his time working with various charities and assisting in the renal department at his local hospital. He is now the chairman of the Exeter & District Kidney Patients' Association as well as secretary of the NKF. George's hobbies include trying to stay fit and healthy, playing bridge, reading and walking. Executive Committee The executive committee consists of the elected officers plus the following: Ros Aird - Lister Area KPA Ros was born in Rochdale, and made a career in public sector procurement. She was first aware of kidney disease when her widowed brother developed polycystic kidney disease and was on PD until he died. Then, her husband, Steve, a diabetic, was diagnosed with kidney failure. He started PD, but a bad infection meant this had to be abandoned. He then dialysed in unit, but soon moved to home HD, managed by Ros, and this improved life tremendously. They became involved in the local KPA but sadly, Steve died two years ago. Ros remains committed to Lister Area KPA (LAKPA) in his memory. Peter Constable Peter was a former Banker by profession having worked mostly in England but with experience in Europe, Canada and the USA. He was a Regional Director and General Manager, then a CEO for Black Horse Agencies and a Director of Lloyds Abbey Life before his retirement in 1992. Post retirement, Peter has worked at a children’s hospice, been the chair of a district general hospital and the chair of an ombudsman company. Amongst other local activities, Peter chaired Addenbrookes Kidney Patients Association for five years until 2019. During his time the KPA re-established a joint annual Christmas Carol Service in Cambridge jointly with the NKF.Peter was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in the early 1980’s and started dialysis in 2013 quickly progressing to home haemodialysis which he still carries out every other day. Peter has not been able to have a transplant, however, continues to want to help particularly patients on dialysis. “I see transplantation as the gold standard which largely sets patients free from the constant restrictions associated with dialysis. I look forward to continuing to seek improvements for patients on a national basis particularly as further restrictions on European provision is now looming. I look forward to better lives for all kidney patients.” Kevin Lim Kevin’s dad was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in December 2020 and sadly passed away in February 2022. During the COVID lockdown period, Kevin returned to Hong Kong to support his CAPD, APD and haemodialysis processes. He decided to join the NKF to help other kidney patients get access to better quality renal treatments and to empower young carers like himself by creating a social support group for them to share their experiences. Kevin wishes to leverage his experience in the corporate sector to help bolster the NKF’s partnership and fundraising efforts with companies based in the city. Kevin currently works in London as a consultant for a US-based law firm. Caryl Bryant - Royal Free KPA Caryl became involved in renal issues when her son was diagnosed with Goodpasture's disease. Caryl helped him through haemodialysis, CAPD, APD and two transplants. His first, a gift from grieving family, saw home through school, university, several Transplant Games and an adventure sailing around the world in the Clipper Race. His second transplant was donated by his younger sister and is doing well. Caryl has been an active member of the Royal Free Hospital KPA (RFHKPA) since 1990. She is a retired university programme leader and senior law lecturer. Caryl's subjects included Human Rights, Equality and Discrimination Law, Criminal Justice, Consumer Law and Jurisprudence. David Coyle - Manchester Royal Infirmary KPA Alan Wells Alan had a kidney transplant in 2016 after being diagnosed with IgA. Although they were different blood groups, Alan’s wife was the donor and this allowed him to have a pre-emptive incompatible transplant. A difficult first year after the transplant included a nasty infection and two episodes of sepsis, but Alan’s health has settled down subsequently. Alan spent almost thirty years as the Chief Executive of a government funded education agency. Since he stopped working full-time, he has had a number of part-time positions in education and the health service. These have kept him very busy. However, a number of his positions have just come to an end and he now wishes to devote time to areas of social concern that he has a particular interest in. Tarsem Paul - Lister Area KPA Tarsem has extensive experience as a kidney patient. He had been dialysing at the Bedford unit for many years and has recently undergone a second kidney transplant. He is a very active committee member of Lister Area KPA (LAKPA), with an additional role as the liaison officer for the Bedford renal unit. This involves regular visits to the unit to offer help to staff and support to dialysis patients, and to build good relations with the staff at the unit. Tarsem is also a member of the Lister hospital peer support service and has helped many patients, on a confidential basis, by sharing his experience and supporting them. He is very passionate about supporting kidney patients and their families. Tarsem has established very good relationships with many staff and his contributions have been recognised by both the LAKPA committee and hospital staff. Nii Plange - Royal Free KPA Ghanaian born, Nii was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in 2000, without any experience of any previous medical issues with his kidneys. He was surprised how this had happened as he had hardly visited the hospital prior. Nii later learned that it was due to high blood pressure. Nii started on PD then CAPD and ended on haemodialysis from where he received a kidney transplant in December 2007; he calls this day his second birthday. Nii joined the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients' Association (RFHKPA) in 2008 with the aim of making the renal experience better and to assist kidney patients through the difficult journey that they go through. He is now the chairman of the KPA. John Roberts - Hope KPA After seven years in the military and 27 years in the ambulance service, John retired early in 2011 due to CKD. He then started home dialysis, but spent six months in-centre because of another medical condition. John received a transplant from his daughter in 2019. He became a member of the NKF through Hope KPA, who he has been working with for many years, along with other kidney-related charities. A keen advocate for home dialysis, he monitors a Facebook page for UK patients who use the NxStage dialysis machine. Honorary President Kirit Modi MBE Kirit is a transplant recipient and has been past-chairman of the NKF. He is currently honorary president of the National BAME Transplant Alliance (NBTA), chair of the Lister Area KPA and chair of the Jain and Hindu Steering Group on organ donation (JHOD). Kirit has frequently spoken at the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group and written two manifestos for change; one on BAME issues and one on living kidney donation. Kirit is a member of the project board for two NHSBT programmes, the Community Investment Scheme, and Living Transplant Initiative. Kirit received a Points of Light award in 2018 from the prime minister for his work on organ donation.Kirit was honoured with an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2022 for the longstanding services to organ donation, particularly within the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) area. Patrons Nina Wadia Lawrence Keogh Life Patron Baroness Cumberlege CBE DL Staff Chief Executive - Andrea Brown Head of Marketing and Fundraising - Pete Revell MInstF Office Manager - Donna Blizard Fundraising and Office Assistant - Fiona Broomhead Accounts Administrator - Heather Mooney Helpline Advisor - Linda Pickering Helpline and Office Administrator - Stephen Emmerson Communications and Marketing Officer - Sharney Warren Social Media and Office Administrator - Catherine Morris Kidney Life Magazine Editor - Annie Taylor Designer - Chris MarsdenPrinters - Ratcliff and RoperFulfillment - PR Fulfilment Webmaster Robert Hammond All the above can be contacted through the National Kidney Federation's head office - 01909 544 999 or email [email protected]