Kidney failure patient and mother win award

"We are there to provide some comfort in a time that is not comforting," says Sofia Tsanou, the co-founder of a Bradford charity for those living with kidney failure.

The 30-year-old has been in renal failure for four years and is currently on a waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant.

She has to have dialysis for 12 hours a week and hospital has become her life, Sofia explains.

In 2024 she and her mother Michaela Smith set up the Bradford Kidney Patients Association to support those living with similar challenges - and the charity recently won an award from the National Kidney Federation.

Sofia developed kidney failure due to complications from Type 1 diabetes and had to spend four months in Bradford Royal Infirmary before setting up the charity after realising there were no local support groups.

Alongside supporting members, including patients and their wider families, the group also provides information, peer support and trips out for those receiving treatment.

It now has 130 members but there are more than 400 affected patients in the Bradford area so Sofia and Michaela are urging everyone to join as it is "completely free".

Sofia says: "Patients feel they can't talk to friends so we can be there and add support and arrange nice things for the patients.

"Something a little bit different with people who are going through the same thing as you."

Since fundraising for the charity, the duo have been able to run coach trips to the beach for patients and their families.

These trips, to Scarborough, Blackpool and Southport, are free for patients and £5 for family members.

They have also bought rechargeable fans for patients receiving dialysis during the warmer months and distributed Christmas gift bags to all 380 renal patients across Bradford and Skipton.

When funds allow, the charity also provides small gestures of appreciation for NHS staff who care for renal patients.

Michaela said: "It was pretty devastating at the time when crashed into the world of dialysis.

"But when we won the award it was just a bit of recognition, a special moment."

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