“When Your World Turns Upside Down” — Bradford Paramedic Launches Kidney Support Network

Izzy Mohammed, a 50-year-old former paramedic from Bradford, says his life was turned upside down after a diagnosis of kidney disease in 2012. A year later he received a living-donor kidney from his brother, but the transplant failed in 2021 and he has been on dialysis ever since.

From Isolation To Action

"It can be a very lonely place living with kidney disease and undergoing dialysis," Mohammed said. "When you're diagnosed, you feel a little bit lost, you don't know what to do, your whole world's turned upside down." After the graft failed he fell into depression, missing the routine and purpose of 28 years of steady employment.

Facing Cultural Barriers To Donation

During his first hospital stay Mohammed learned about organ donation, a topic he found difficult to raise in his community. He described barriers in some ethnic minority groups where discussion of donation can carry "a sense of shame or apprehension." Seeking guidance, he and his family consulted the imam at their mosque, who reassured them that saving a life is supported by their faith.

"There's no misconception around if you can save a life, you should be able to save a life," the imam told them.

Mohammed also recalled the emotional weight of accepting a kidney from his brother. "You don't want to feel as though because of your situation and misery, you're putting that onto someone else," he said. His brother replied, "You're my brother and this is what I want to do."

BrAdKIN: A Local Network for Patients, Carers and Clinicians

A turning point came when Mohammed attended a patient workshop at the University of Salford where people with kidney conditions shared experiences and practical advice. Inspired, he launched BrAdKIN — the Bradford & Airedale Kidney Information Network — to create a local forum for peer support, information and connection.

The group's inaugural event took place at St Luke's Hospital (Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), where Mohammed attends dialysis three times a week. The meeting brought together patients, carers and clinicians to compare experiences and offer mutual support.

Mohammed has now spent four years on the national transplant waiting list and continues to receive dialysis while building the network. "People sometimes just want to talk to somebody who understands what it's like to be on dialysis, live with kidney disease or be waiting for a transplant," he said. "I needed a new purpose — and this is it."

Why It Matters

BrAdKIN aims to reduce isolation, share practical guidance, and address cultural concerns about organ donation. Local peer groups like this can improve emotional wellbeing and help patients and families navigate treatment options and life on dialysis.