British Kidney Patient Association

Bordon
Hants
GU35 9JZ

Tel: 01420 472 021/2
Fax: 01420 475 831
Web: www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk
Best time to telephone: 9am - 5pm

The British Kidney Patient Association was founded in 1975 by Elizabeth Ward, whose son was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 13 years. At that time there was no national association concerned with the plight of Britains kidney patients, many of whom were struggling to survive bitter blows to their health, pride and finances by the need for thrice-weekly dialysis and the loss of their jobs. Now kidney patients, young and old, know that they can turn to the BKPA for support, advice and perhaps more importantly, financial help and a much needed break with their families.

The work of the BKPA falls roughly into two halves engendered by two quite separate needs; on the one hand the material and physical needs of the patients and their relatives and on the other the necessity to lobby for more and improved facilities and increased Governmental funding so that all patients may benefit from improvements in technology and pharmaceutical achievements. At the same time it is necessary to create through the media awareness of the need for kidney donors and all problems resulting from the lack of them.

Life membership of the BKPA is open to all kidney patients throughout the United Kingdom who have British citizenship and membership of the BKPA entitles patients to apply for financial assistance. Approaches should be made to the BKPA via the hospital or renal social worker for financial help and to the holiday secretary at head office for holiday dialysis information.