BRITISH KIDNEY PATIENT
ASSOCIATIONThe 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 at one or other of the BKPA
holiday dialysis centres. 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 and whilst the majority of renal units in the country have
obtained life membership for all their patients, past, present and future,
those attending a non-member unit can obtain life membership on payment of a
small fee. Membership of the BKPA entitles patients to financial assistance and the
opportunity of dialysing at one or other of the holiday dialysis centres in the
UK and abroad. 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 bookings.
British Kidney Patient Association
Bordon
Hampshire
GU35 9JZ  01420 472 021/2
 01420 475 831
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