Lauren Ingham - running for Kidney Research

In 2019 Lauren’s sister-in-law, Elkie, got very ill very quickly, her kidneys were failing and she desperately needed a new one.

Friends and family came forward to donate but nobody was a match, including Lauren, but fate was on their side and a match was found for both Lauren and Elkie via the kidney sharing scheme. On 19th July 2019,  6 strangers - 3 donors & 3 recipients - went under the knife, the 3 donor kidneys travelled across the UK to their new recipients. 

“The operation was a success, recovery was difficult but worthwhile to see Elkie able to live life to the full again.”  

Lauren donated her left kidney (previously known as Lefty, it now goes by the name of Hopper) to a complete stranger and in return Elkie got her new kidney and is back to her usual bubbly, amazing self! The complete stranger is no longer a stranger, she is Chloe, she is a mum, a police officer and a true warrior.  

The last time Lauren ran the Leeds 10k was in 2016 she admit’s that training for the 10k is harder this time around. “I am 6 years older and 1 kidney lighter this time! My fiancé Nathan has been a huge support, through the op, recovery and now training for the race. We follow a couch to 10k training plan, running 3 times per week.”

Lauren and Nathan are raising money and awareness for Kidney Research Yorkshire. They support research projects in Yorkshire to improve diverse areas of kidney disease and its treatment. Sadly they are only able to fund 1 in 5 research projects presented to them. Lauren hopes the money she raises will help to raise that figure.

Good luck Lauren and Nathan!