From Major Surgery to Marathon Start Line: Alex’s Inspiring Comeback

In January 2026, Alex's life changed forever when he underwent major surgery to have his right kidney removed. But while the operation marked the end of one chapter, it was the culmination of a journey that had begun the day he was born.

Alex was born with a right kidney that had never fully developed. Throughout his childhood, he attended regular hospital appointments and underwent countless scans to monitor its condition. Eventually, at the age of 14, he was discharged and, like most people, stopped thinking about his kidneys as life carried on.

That changed a few years ago when he began experiencing persistent pain in the right side of his back. At first, he tried to ignore it, hoping it would disappear, but the pain gradually became part of everyday life. After countless appointments, scans and tests, Alex finally got the answer he had been searching for.

His kidney had completely stopped functioning.

Not only was it no longer doing its job, but it had also become a risk to his health, with the potential to cause ongoing pain, serious infections and further complications. He was faced with a difficult choice: continue living with the pain or undergo surgery to have the kidney removed.

For Alex, neither option was easy, but he chose surgery.

Reflecting on that decision, he said:

"Although I knew it was the right decision, nothing could have prepared me for the reality of recovering from such a major operation."

He describes the surgery as long and painful, with the weeks that followed among the most challenging he has ever experienced. Simple everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, walking around the house or laughing without discomfort suddenly became obstacles he never imagined facing.

"There were moments when I wondered whether I'd made a mistake and whether I'd ever feel like myself again."

But slowly, day by day, Alex recovered.

Today, he says he feels "incredibly lucky". The pain that had become such a significant part of his life has gone, and his remaining kidney is healthy and doing everything it needs to do. Alex is grateful for the chance to move forward, enjoy life and appreciate things he once took for granted, knowing that not everyone is afforded that opportunity.

As Alex recognises, millions of people live with kidney disease. Some spend hours every week connected to dialysis machines just to stay alive, while others wait anxiously for a life-changing transplant. Many people do not even realise they have kidney disease until it has reached an advanced stage.

Explaining why he has decided to take on the Altra Yorkshire Marathon, Alex said:

"Kidney disease doesn't always make headlines, but it changes lives every day."

Just months after having his kidney removed, Alex will stand on the start line of the Altra Yorkshire Marathon. Not because running 26.2 miles sounds fun, but because he wants to turn one of the toughest experiences of his life into something positive for others.

He said:

"Every training run reminds me how fortunate I am. Every mile I complete is something I once wasn't sure I'd be able to do. Crossing that finish line won't just represent completing a marathon, it will represent everything I've overcome to get there."

Alex is raising money for Kidney Research UK, whose work offers hope to people and families affected by kidney disease.

He is grateful for every donation, no matter how big or small, and hopes his challenge will help make a difference for others facing a similar journey.