Clodagh and Faith's story: living with kidney disease

Clodagh and Faith are cousins who were both born with congenital nephrotic syndrome, who have each had a kidney transplant, with kidneys donated from family members.

The transplant made it way better because I can do normal things.

We spoke with Faith, Clodagh, and Clodagh’s mum Nicole at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Faith was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called congenital nephrotic syndrome at birth. She had a kidney transplant in 2016, her mum donating Faith her kidney. Then, five months after Faith’s transplant, Clodagh was born and was also diagnosed with congenital nephrotic syndrome. Clodagh then received her kidney from her dad and had her transplant in 2023

Nicole explains how much support their family has received from the kidney team at the Royal Belfast Hospital, and how the two cousins are loving life after their transplants. They both even competed in the 2022 Transplant Games, picking up a number of medals, from obstacle courses to running.