A Mother's Painful Wait

In a poignant and moving account, Ummarah Irshad shares the anguish of waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant for her 15-year-old daughter, Uqbah Mohammed, who is bravely battling stage five Chronic Kidney Disease. The family remains trapped in a painful cycle between hospital visits and their home, where hope flickers behind the grim realities of illness.

Uqbah’s Health Journey

Uqbah’s journey began six years ago when her kidneys started failing, thrusting her into a world dominated by dialysis—her lifeline amidst deteriorating health. Her mother, Ummarah, who tragically could not be a match for donation, still faces the unbearable fear of losing another child. Her eldest daughter, Haniah, succumbed to a brain tumor at just four years old, a loss that haunts this resilient mother.

The Challenges Ahead

As Uqbah's kidney function declines, she suffers from increasing post-dialysis complications that usher in fatigue and frequent illness, complicating family life. 'The mental and emotional toll is immense,' Ummarah explains. 'We struggle to make plans, as daily activities often succumb to her condition. A kidney donation would not just change Uqbah's life but would also breathe new joy into our family, allowing her to relish simple pleasures like chips and potato waffles.'

Hope for 2025

The family clings to hope for a kidney transplant in 2025, praying that this year will be their turning point. 'Endless health battles marked 2024,' Ummarah reflects. 'It has been a relentless fight, with holidays and simple dreams feeling impossibly distant. Every day I hold on to the quiet strength of awaiting a new beginning for Uqbah.'

Health Challenges

Chronicling Uqbah’s life, we learn she has faced various health challenges, including galactosemia and autism, since birth. Tube-fed due to her inability to eat orally, Uqbah's first dialysis line surprised doctors with its premature failure after less than three months instead of the expected year.

National Campaign for Donors

In a national initiative by the NHS, Uqbah was transformed into a doll as part of the *Waiting to Live* campaign, bringing attention to children desperately waiting for transplants. Unfortunately, nearly half of these children remain on the waiting list, highlighting the urgent need for donors.

Call for Donors

Eligible kidney donors, particularly those with type O or O-positive blood, are crucial for Uqbah’s survival. The emotional appeals from officials like Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, emphasize the significance of donor awareness: 'Please consider organ donation; it could save lives.'

A Mother’s Hope

As Ummarah dreams of a future where Uqbah runs on sun-kissed beaches and creates lasting memories with her family, she emphasizes, 'Every moment is filled with hope, and every wave reminds us of the precious second chance we are waiting for. The moment we transition from waiting to truly living is what we long for.'

Get in Touch

For anyone who believes they may be a match and wants to help, you can reach the Leeds Kidney Appeal at [email protected]. Together, we can spread the message—life-altering donations can emerge from the depths of sorrow, transforming tragedy into hope.