Kidney Disease Patient's Struggle Highlights Organ Donation Need

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Becca Moore, who has battled chronic kidney disease since childhood, recently shifted to home dialysis after her 2019 kidney transplant failed and her condition worsened, allowing her to return to work despite ongoing health challenges. Her story highlights the critical shortage of organ donors and the urgent need for increased donor registration and improved transplant research to support patients like her.

Becca Moore, 31, has faced a longstanding battle with kidney disease rooted in a childhood condition that caused urine to flow backward from her bladder to her kidneys, leading to recurrent infections and organ damage. Her health challenges intensified during adolescence when frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) severely impacted her ability to complete her GCSE exams.

Moore’s condition, marked by repeated infections, reached a critical point in 2008 when she was hospitalized with a severe UTI and suspected sepsis. The infections caused significant kidney damage, necessitating dialysis treatment. Despite these setbacks, Moore pursued a career in social care, eventually becoming deputy manager of a supported living unit for adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Her health struggles have also taken an emotional toll. Moore has spoken openly about experiencing severe anxiety and the fear of death as she navigated the unpredictability of her illness. “My life turned upside down,” she said, reflecting on her journey from educational challenges to professional achievement and subsequent health decline.

In July 2019, Moore received a kidney transplant from her cousin, who was a compatible donor. However, the transplant was ultimately unsuccessful, as her body rejected the kidney in 2023. Her condition worsened in 2025, leading to the resumption of haemodialysis, a treatment that filters waste and excess fluids from the blood. Moore must travel three hours to access her nearest treatment center and undergoes the procedure three times a week.

Recently, Moore transitioned to home dialysis, a development that has allowed her to return to work and celebrate personal milestones, including her honeymoon this month. Nevertheless, she remains on a waiting list for another transplant, highlighting the urgent need for more organ donors.

Fiona Carragher, chief executive of Kidney Research UK, emphasized the critical role of organ donation in addressing the shortage of available kidneys for transplant. “Saying yes to organ donation, recording your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and making your loved ones aware of your choice is vital if we are to reduce those waiting times,” Carragher said. She also stressed the importance of ongoing research to improve the viability and longevity of transplanted organs and enhance outcomes for patients like Moore.

Moore’s experience underscores both the personal and systemic challenges faced by individuals with chronic kidney disease while highlighting the broader call for increased donor registration and scientific advancement in transplantation medicine.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.