Turning Struggles into Strength, Woman Living with PKD Hits £1,000 Fundraising Goal

Kimberly, 56, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, has completed an incredible feat, walking over 206,000 steps and successfully raising over £1,000 for the National Kidney Federation charity in just one month, inspired by her own experience living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).

Kimberly took on the charity’s Best Foot Forward Challenge in memory of her father, who passed away from PKD at just 57. Her story is one of determination and hope, both for herself and for the many others affected by the condition.

“When I was 21, I received a phone call from my dad telling me he wasn’t well. That’s when I first learned about PKD,” Kimberly recalls. “He had kept that he had PKD away from family for quite a while. After he told us about it and that he was unwell, my sister, three cousins, and I all got tested. While their results were negative, mine came back positive.”

In polycystic kidney disease, abnormal cysts form in the kidneys and can also form in other organs. Kidney failure often develops in late middle age. However, there are some families where kidney failure is delayed or never occurs, and others in which kidney failure occurs earlier. Normally the kidney function gets worse gradually. When kidney failure occurs, dialysis may be necessary and a kidney transplant may be an option.

Kimberly lost her father to PKD when she was just 26. Since then, she has faced her own journey with the disease with remarkable openness and strength.

“Living with PKD has been challenging,” she said. “There were times I felt very alone, even surrounded by my family and friends. Because I looked healthy, people often didn’t understand the seriousness of what I was going through. I’ve been hospitalised numerous times due to my kidney condition, with numerous infections, including one admission where I battled sepsis.”

Despite the challenges, Kimberly has remained optimistic. She focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. She’s also been open with her family about the condition, which is inherited and degenerative.

After marrying her partner, they both chose to have children, supported by Guy’s Hospital. While her son tested negative for the PKD gene at 17, her daughter, now 22, tested positive at age 12.

“I want to be a role model, not just for my kids, but for others too,” Kimberly shared.

“You can live a full life with PKD. It’s about balance. You can still have fun, enjoy life, and look after yourself at the same time.”

In addition to PKD, Kimberly also lives with Crohn’s disease, which she describes as an even greater daily challenge. But when she saw the National Kidney Federation’s sponsored walking challenge, Best Foot Forward, in the charity’s magazine Kidney Life, she knew it was time to take action.

“I was already walking daily, but setting a clear goal and routine gave me that extra push. I’d head out at 7am every day with the dog, step by step building toward my goal.”

With kidney function at just 35%, Kimberly is keen to remind others that physical health isn’t always visible. “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” she says. “Everyone’s experience with illness is different.”

Her fundraising challenge also became a family effort. Her son, a Pilates instructor, and her daughter, a law student, helped her surpass her £1,000 target by sharing her story with family and friends on social media.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved. I wanted to raise awareness, show what’s possible, and prove that with a little determination, you can make a real difference. A big thank you to the National Kidney Federation for providing a free to call helpline to support patients and their families.”

For those inspired by Kimberly’s journey and interested in contributing, donations can still be made through Kimberly’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/page/kimberly-smith-1