Three days a week, we would make the 45-mile journey to hospital. Then, four hours later, we would make the 45-mile journey home again. Three days a week in hospital soon became five. Family life became a cycle of hospital, home, medicines, feeds, then sleep and repeat.
This Christmas, Etta's parents, Dionne and Neil, are hoping for something very simple. They want to see their little girl excited by her presents, laugh with her big brother, and enjoy Christmas morning without wondering whether one of their children will be too ill or too exhausted to take part.
Because until now, Christmas has looked very different for Etta.
Etta has spent most of her four years in hospital.
She was born with a rare genetic condition that causes kidney failure, the same condition her older brother Olly has.
When Dionne fell pregnant for a second time, they knew there was a one-in-four chance that their baby could inherit the same condition as Olly. At their 34-week scan, just as Olly was leaving intensive care following treatment, they heard the hard news that Etta had the condition too.
I tried to ring Neil, but I couldn't talk through the tears. It was just 'no, no, no, not again'.Dionne, Etta and Olly's mum
They thought they knew what lay ahead. But Etta's journey would be even harder than Olly's.
She needed a liver transplant as well as a kidney transplant. She received more than 25 blood transfusions. And unlike her brother, who could have peritoneal dialysis overnight at home, Etta needed haemodialysis in hospital three days a week.
Three days a week, they would make the 45-mile journey to hospital. Then, four hours later, they would make the 45-mile journey home again. And due to additional complications, three days a week in hospital soon became five.
Their family life became a cycle of hospital, home, medicines, feeds, homework with Olly, then sleep and repeat.
Now we finally have Etta.
Etta received her new kidney in June this year, after her liver transplant in 2025. Slowly, Dionne and Neil began to see something they had been waiting years for.
Their little girl.
Before her transplant, Etta wasn't interested in toys. The things she played with were clinical – her blood pressure machine and other medical equipment.
After all their challenges, the family can finally embrace Christmas. For the first time they've been able to plan something special, without worrying that one of the children will be unwell; Etta and her brother Olly are going to see Santa.
But Dionne is looking forward to something even more. Christmas morning.
"Just to see their wee faces on Christmas morning and BOTH get excited for the toys that Santa has left will be amazing."
For the first time, Etta will be excited about toys at Christmas.
For the first time, Dionne and Neil can hope for a Christmas without hospital. A Christmas without dialysis.
And a family beginning to live the life they've been longing for.
This Christmas, please help Kidney Care UK to support more families like Etta's with a gift
No family should have to face kidney disease along, especially at Christmas. Your support can help Kidney Care UK be there for more families like Etta's, providing financial help when life feels overwhelming, and someone to turn to when they need it most. This Christmas, and all year round, you can help make a difference.
"It was such a relief. We didn't have the money, and it pulled us out of a hole."
No one should have to face kidney disease alone
Families living with kidney disease can face enormous emotional, practical and financial pressures. The costs of getting through another week can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve had to stop working to care for your child.
Kidney Care UK was able to provide a £300 grant to help Dionne and Neil with the rising cost of living. And another £300 grant from the charity helped with oil costs to heat their home.
The family also received practical support to make sure they were getting the benefits they were entitled to, helping ease some of the financial pressure while they focused on caring for their children.
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Please help us support families like Etta's this Christmas