A woman suffering from a rare genetic disorder has called on more kidney donors to step forward to stop people having to go through the ordeal of dialysis.
Jodi Smith (31) has cystinosis, a disease affecting around 150 people in the UK.
It damaged her major organs and caused her to have kidney dialysis.
She hopes that World Kidney Day today will make everyone aware of the need for donors to ease the suffering of people with kidney problems.
She said: "It is no fun on dialysis. It drains you of energy and can make you feel really sick.
"When you die you don't need your kidneys. You would be better off helping another person in need.
"We need more kidneys, not only does it help patients but it is better for the families and the people around them and means everyone involved can have a better life."
Mrs Smith, who lives in Bicker with husband Simon and daughter Chloe (9), has had two kidney transplants – the first as a child and the second five years ago – and suffers from epilepsy and diabetes.
She also had a stroke, which left her with some brain damage.
She said: "When I had a stroke the doctors told me that I wouldn't walk again and that I wouldn't be able to have a baby so I suppose I have beaten the odds.
"You have got to stay strong. There are always people worse off than you."
She says she relies on the support of her family to battle on against her conditions.
Before the transplants Jodi had to undergo home dialysis, which her mum Christine Stukins was trained to give.
To mark World Kidney Day today she will be attending an event at Asda in Boston, where a host of balloons will be released into the sky at 2.30pm to coincide with similar events in London and Lincoln.
To find out more about World Kidney Day visit www.worldkidneyday.orgThe full article contains 333 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
