Kelly Ashcroft, from Anfield, lost three babies to kidney disease before receiving a life-changing transplant in 2024. Now aged 32, she is preparing to take part in the Kidney Research UK Liverpool Bridges Walk on Sunday, September 6.
Years of kidney illness
Kelly has suffered with kidney problems since she was two years old, following a serious E. coli infection. She has lived with two types of kidney disease - haemolytic uraemic syndrome and IgA nephropathy - ever since.
In 2015, when she was 21, Kelly got pregnant with twins while her kidneys were functioning at just 35%. She lost both babies due to the strain on her body.
Kelly said: “My kidneys were monitored by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, but they steadily declined throughout my childhood. At 18, it was discovered that I had a second kidney disease called IgA nephropathy. Both diseases were contributing to my kidneys failing and doctors began to discuss the need for a transplant. That brought home how serious everything was.”
Pregnancy loss and grief
During her twin pregnancy, Kelly was told that carrying two children could put too much pressure on her body. At 12 weeks, she was given the option to end one pregnancy to continue with the other.
“I burst into tears, I couldn’t give up on my children. Miracles can happen where children survive against the odds, but sadly that didn’t happen for us,” she said. At 19 weeks, her blood pressure became very high, and she was told one baby had died. A week later, she learned her other child had also died.
Kelly received bereavement support from the women’s hospital in Liverpool, and her family rallied around her. The couple held a funeral for the twins, which helped bring some closure.
A healthy son and a difficult decision
Two years later, supported by the NHS kidney team, Kelly gave birth to a healthy boy named Alfie. She said: “I couldn’t live without trying again to have a baby. It was scary, but I had to try.”
She became pregnant again later that year, but was forced to end the pregnancy because of her continuing kidney deterioration and the risk to herself and her baby. Doctors said it was unlikely the pregnancy would continue after her kidneys failed, and that even if the baby were born, they would likely have significant health problems.
“I felt I had no choice but to have a medical termination. That was heartbreaking. I felt a lot of guilt, but I had to make sure I didn’t put my life at risk when I had Alfie to think about too,” she said.
Transplant and fundraising walk
Kelly was placed on the transplant waiting list in 2021. By the time she received a kidney transplant in June 2024, her kidneys were functioning at just 9%. The procedure has transformed her energy levels and quality of life.
Kelly is now preparing to walk alongside her dad Colin and hundreds of supporters at the Kidney Research UK Liverpool Bridges Walk. The event starts at Piers Head and crosses dockside bridges, passing landmarks including the Royal Albert Dock, the Liver Building and the Maritime Museum. Participants can choose from a 2.2 mile or a 6.1 mile course.
Kelly said: “It’s important to me to raise awareness of the difficulties kidney patients can face when having children. Living with kidney disease shouldn’t steal somebody’s opportunity to become a parent or enjoy their lives.”
More than 7,200 people in the UK are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, and six people die every week while waiting, according to latest NHS figures. In Liverpool, 220 people are waiting for a transplant, and analysis from Kidney Research UK shows approximately 42,500 people in the city are living with kidney disease.
Georgia Kelly, head of community and events at Kidney Research UK, said: “We’re so grateful to Kelly for speaking so openly about her experiences to help shine light on kidney disease, which touches millions of lives and can be utterly devastating. That’s why our Liverpool Bridges Walk is so important. It brings people affected by kidney disease together with friends, families and supporters to share their stories, raise awareness and help fund the vital research that will one day end kidney disease.”
More information and registration for the Liverpool Bridges Walk are available on the Kidney Research UK website.
