SAKA
SAKA is here for you. We help all kidney patients covered by the Sheffield Kidney Institute, along with families and friends.
Feel free to contact us for further information, to make any suggestions for what we could do for kidney patients or if you need any help.
Email:
Phone SAKA Secretary:
07719 787885
SAKA Facebook Group
Patients (and family members, friends, carers etc) who attend the Sheffield Kidney Unit or its satellites are invited to join this small confidential Facebook Group to share news and information.
Click the link below to visit/join:
ShareNEWS
Nominations to the NKF Executive Committee
Would you like to serve on the NKF Executive Committee?
Nominations are now open.
Why apply?
As a member of the executive, you will add your voice to a diverse and dedicated group of individuals who are committed to the achievement of the Federation Mission and Values. You will help shape policies and strategies that directly impact kidney patients and support the growth and expansion of KPA network across the UK. The deadline for nominations is 30th January 2026.
Members, not just officers, of a KPA, Kidney patients, carers, family members, or someone with an interest in kidney disease can apply.
What does the role involve?
Executive meetings are accessible and flexible (online or face to face), but you must be prepared to attend four formal annual meetings per year. As an Executive Committee member, you will serve as a Trustee and Director of the NKF, work with other exec members on the charity governance, strategy, and oversight of NKF service delivery to patients, Carers and KPAs. There are also opportunities to serve on exec. subcommittees and represent the NKF at Stakeholder events.
The NKF will provide, induction briefing(s), personal support, mentoring, and training to all members of the executive as required.
Skills and experience we are Looking For
If you have experience in any of the following, we would love to hear from you:
- A commitment to the Federation Values and Mission.
- KPA experience, either as a chair or committee members or other kidney patients’ groups
- We are particularly interested to hear from individuals with financial, social media or advocacy experience, or individuals who feel they can represent the interests of younger patients & carers (18-25) and parents of Paediatric kidney patients.
Any questions / to apply email: donna@kidney.org.uk
Christmas Buffets
SAKA is providing the funding for Christmas buffets for dialysis patients in the various units in our area.
Remembering a Loved One this Christmas
Each year, the National Kidney Federation decorate their Head Office Christmas tree with paper cut-out gold stars sent in from supporters with a message to their loved ones as a tribute to their special star(s) in the sky.
If you would like to dedicate a star to your loved one, whether you lost them a while ago or more recently visit:
Christmas Gold Star Tribute | National Kidney Federation
2026 British Transplant Games, Sheffield
5 - 9 August
The countdown to the British Transplant Games to be held in Sheffield in 2026 has begun.
A launch event was held on 25 November, and everyone is now being asked to do their bit to promote this great event, which celebrates life after transplant.
It isa also a great opportunity to encourage people to have the conversation about organ donation.
See the Transplant Games page for more details.
Stay well this winter
Kidney Care UK is working with the NHS to make sure kidney patients keep warm and well and have the information and support they need over the winter months.
You can download a copy of their leaflet containing lots of tips on how to keep yourself and your home warm, how to stay active, making sure you have the right medication, how to access support for your mental and physical health and how to obtain financial help if you need it.
Follow this link to take part in the survey: https://forms.office.com/e/GfvRKp18vP
Winter Vaccinations
Don't forget to book you vaccinations for flu and Covid 19 this winter.
To check if you are eligible and to book visit:
Book, change, or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online - NHS
Visit the NKF shop today to secure your favorite festive items
Each purchase you make helps the NKF support another individual affected by kidney disease.
All cards are 100% biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly choice.
Christmas card prices from £3.50 for a pack of ten cards are complete with envelopes.The collection features many beautiful festive designs, including "Santa's Little Helpers" and "Snowman's Party" cards currently being our most popular and selling out very quickly!
In addition to cards, the NKF 2026 calendar is perfect for keeping track of all your important appointments, along with a selection of gift wrap and money wallets, plus grow your own Christmas tree seeds!
Click this linkfor details and to place your order:
Christmas 2025 | National Kidney Federation
FUNDRAISING
YORKSHIRE 3 PEAKS
Well done to Lloyd Bennett for completing the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for SAKA. Lloyd's wife, Rachel, received a kidney transplant in 2020 and now competes in the British Transplant Games.
The Games will take place in Sheffield in 2026, and so we are keen to raise as much money as possible.
If you would like to add to Lloyd's sponsorship total please click the link to his JustGiving Page:
Lloyd Bennett is fundraising for SAKA
To celebrate Organ Donation Week 2025 the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website included a feature on transplant surgeon Dr Badri Shrestha:
Transplant surgeon reflects on remarkable career - Sheffield Teaching Hospital
Research study on
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
Exafield is conducting a research study focused on Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).
The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the signs, symptoms, and the profound impact of living with this condition.
They are seeking patients living with Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who are willing to share their invaluable experiences. This includes discussing their current treatments and their needs concerning potential new therapies. Their unique perspective is crucial in helping us advance healthcare.
The study is designed in two phases:
- Phase 1: 60-minute in-depth video interview Participants will be invited to a 60-minute one-on-one interview.
- Phase 2: week-long video diary, where patients will self-film on their mobile phones.Participants will join a secure research app (note it is not ‘live’ research) for approximately one week, dedicating about 45 minutes in total. The video diary tasks take the form of written instructions which will be programmed into a secure research app, on different topics around your ADPKD experience.
In exchange for their valuable time, the participant will receive £100 for taking part in both phases, which is payable as BACS, PayPal or Amazon Voucher.
PLEASE CONTACT SAKA if you are eligible and interested in participating in this research. SAKA will get a donation from Exafield if you are chosen.
email: contact@saka.org.uk
Kidney Transplants and ADPKD
The PKD website has an article with updated information on kidney transplantation in PKD. This has been
co-written by Mr Badri Man Shrestha, Consultant Transplant Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Click this link for detals:
New Kidney Care Glossary
Find out more about kidneys and kidney disease, from A to Z. Understand more about some of the medical words you may hear or read relating to kidney conditions and get links to more in-depth information.
OBITUARY
May 2025: We are all shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Johnson. a well known and active member of the local kidney community and a former SAKA committee member.
Here are the details for anyone who knew Paul and who would like to pay their respects:
Celebration of Life for Paul Johnson,Tuesday 17th June 10:50am Ardsley Crematorium, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S71 5EH. There will be a collection for SAKA.
Reception for Paul Johnson, 12-3pm, The Strafford Arms, Stainborough, 10 Park Drive, S75 3EW
Please don't feel the need to wear black.
PREM is the Kidney Patients Reported Experience Measure. Each year kidney patients are asked to take part in a survey about their care and results are collated in order to improve renal care across the country.
Football Team uses
SAKA logo
The Head Coach of Kiveton Under 18's Mens Team is a dialysis patient at Sheffield and an ex member of the Sheffield Adult Transplant Games Team. The team now has the SAKA logo on their shirts.
We wish them all the best in their upcoming matches.
Bus
advertising campaign
to coincide with
World Kidney Day
SAKA has sponsored a bus advertising campaign to promote organ donation. These adverts will be on several bus routes in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and North East Derbyshire for four weeks.
One has been spotted by David, the SAKA Chair. Let us know if you spot any - tell us where and when (and send in a photo if you can): email contact@saka.org.uk
Are you or do you know someone who is aged 16-30 looking for a safe space to connect with others about kidney disease?
We invite you to join a special community that could make a significant difference in your journey with kidney disease. We have created a private Facebook group specifically for young adults navigating the challenges of kidney disease, and we would love for you to be a part of it.
The NKF Peer Support Service has now expanded!
The Peer Support Service is a safe space where people can connect with our ‘peers’ to converse about lived experiences and they are there to support you. This might be
over the phone, online, or in person.
The Peer Support Service has now expanded and is open to
all
individuals
who have kidney disease, Family
members, partners or carers of somebody with kidney disease
The service provides an opportunity for all individuals to have a one-to-one chat with a fully trained
peer supporter who may have similar life experiences and lifestyle stories. Whatever your experience or query about kidney disease, we can connect you with one of our peer
supporters.
For more information on the NKF Peer Support Service visit: www.kidney.org.uk/peer-support
Whatever your query, if you would like to contact the NKF Peer Support Service, call our Freephone Helpline on
0800 169 0936
or email helpline@kidney.org.uk.
Our lines are open from 08:30am - 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and Friday 08:30am -
12:30pm.
Understanding results of blood and urine tests
All kidney patients have regular blood and urine tests. Health care professionals use the results to monitor your kidney function and to check on other aspects of your health.
To help you understand what they are checking for and what the results mean Kidney Care have produced a pateint information guide.
News from Patients Know Best / Renal Registry
Here is a message for renal patients:
Dear PKB users.
Sheffield will be the first eMED site to switch over to Real-Time reporting. this is when your blood results are forwarded to the Renal Registry immediately and not after 12 months. This is something that has been done for some time.
You can actually see what is reported on https://ukkidney.org/about-us/who-we-are/uk-renal-registry
|
ukkidney.org
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Have a look. It tells you about SKI and how it compares with other units' metrics. It's easy to read and gives lots of interesting data etc.
When all parties are happy with the data, the system will switch to Real-Time reporting. This will affect the PKB system for at least 48 hours. UKKA will post information on their social media feeds to inform patients. We will put a message in the library part of PKB and flyers in outpatients and HD areas.
We will inform everyone once we have a date for the switchover. This will allow data to be live in the registry and enhance research into Kidney Disease.
Kidney Care UK has a YouTube channel, with videos covering patient stories, kidney friendly recipes and expert renal advice.
To subscribe go to: Kidney Care UK - About Us (youtube.com)
Artificial Intelligence Tool
Profesor Albert Ong is now using an AI tool is his specialist kidney clinic
To read the details, see the article on the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals website:
Introducing Kidney Care UK’s FREE online PIP Helper
PIP is a benefit support awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people who are eligible, to help them with living costs, but applying for it can be a confusing and long process. Kidney Care UK have launched a new online helper to guide you through :
Patients as Educators
Could you help medical students to learn from real patients ?
The Clinical Skills Centre of the Sheffield University Medical School helps to train would-be medics of various sorts by introducing them to real patients with a variety of conditions. It is valuable to the students to be able to talk to patients and carry out relavent physical examinations. Many participants in the scheme feel that this is an easy way of 'giving something back'.
They would particularly welcome more kidney patients.
For more details visit the website:
Patients as Educators | Medicine and Population Health | The University of Sheffield
Guidance on Shingles Vaccination
All those eligible should be offered the non-live vaccine Shingrix as part of the UK shingles vaccination programme which aims to protect those individuals most at risk from shingles and its complications.
The British Transplant Society and UK Kidney Association have produced guidelines on the shingles vaccination.
Kidney Beam is now fully funded for kidney patients in all parts of England.
This is an online service helping kidney patients take care of their physical and mental health. It offers you a way to improve your physical activity in your own home.
Click below for full details about the service and how to sign up
In September 2023 two experienced consultant nephrologists from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire set up a new website for CKD patients and their families. It contains a wealth of information on how kidneys work, treatments for kidney disease etc. and is well worth looking at.
About - Chronic Kidney Disease Explained (ckdexplained.co.uk)
NHS App
You can download the NHS App or open the NHS website to access a range of NHS services, including your GP health records.
For details about how to use these services visit this section of the NHS website:
About the NHS App - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Charity Clothes Collection
You can now support Kidney Care UK by recycling your unwanted clothes and other items. The process is easy as they come to your door to collect your donations,
For details of how to use the free collection service visit:
Video for Living Donors
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have produced a video with advice for living kidney donors.
Reimbursement of additional utility costs for home dialysis
Click here to visit the NKF Website for full details
The NKF alongside other kidney charities and professional bodies have been working with the UKKA Kidney Patient Safety Committee.
Together they have produced a toolkit to support reimbursement of additional utility costs for home dialysis.
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