I joined NIKPA in January 2017 following my transplant in the summer of 2016.

Staff at the Belfast City Hospital Renal Unit had been ‘looking after me’ for over 30 years as my kidney function gradually declined, the result of Polycystic kidney disease.

I spent 18 years attending the Belfast City Hospital and another two at Antrim Area Hospital with Kidney disease. Over that period my kidney function declined

I first learnt of Northern Ireland Kidney Patients Association during a spell in the Belfast City Hospital in level 11 waiting for my operation to prepare me for dialysis.

I have worked as a staff nurse in the nephrology department (mostly transplant) from 1977. I recently retired and decided to join NIKPA to keep in touch with my renal family and give a little bit back.

My name is Rebecca, in the last few weeks I have taken on the role of caring for NIKPA facebook page.  I am the daughter of a renal patient, Alan Martin.  My late Father was one of the founding members of NIKPA and I want to continue his work by making a difference for renal patients.