大象传媒

Mariella on dialysis

The 大象传媒 WM Kidney Kids appeal is the biggest campaign the station has run and hopes to raise 拢1.5 million for a new kidney unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Around 听1500 young patients with a range of kidney problems visit the kidney unit every year to receive dialysis, and other treatments, including transplants.

Throughout the next year 大象传媒 WM will feature personal stories and experiences from the children, parents and hospital staff. Listen to some of the stories below and more will be added throughout the coming weeks.

Mother Kiran and baby Adam

Baby Adam has a kidney operation

On Monday 14th July Phil Upton's Breakfast Show launched the 大象传媒 WM Kidney Kids Appeal at the Birmingham Children's Hospital.

On the morning presenter Phil Upton met Kiran who's nine week old baby was due to have a major operation to remove his kidneys. Kiran told Phil how nervous she was about the operation.

On the afternoon Drivetime Show Kiran told presenter Lee Stone that Adam's operation went smoothly and he was recovering well.

Baby Adam

In the interview Kiran was asked to put into words how she felt: "I went into the recovery room to get him and it just looked like he was asleep, he didn't look like he was in any pain, it was really nice he just looked so peaceful."

Listen to the full interview with Kiran

Kidney Kids teachers

Children with severe kidney failure have to spend 3 days a week hooked up to a dialysis machine. That's time stuck indoors, away from family and friends - and most importantly, time away from school.

But despite the noise, the machinery and lack of space - the kidney unit doubles up as a classroom too.

Kidney Kids teachers

大象传媒 WM reporter Andy Silke went to sit in on a lesson, he explains" It's amazing to think that even with everything else going on, these kids are still keeping up with their studies - and in such imperfect conditions.

Listen to Andy's full report.

More Kidney Kids stories

Tune into 大象传媒 WM on 95.6FM to hear more personal stories from the children, parents and nurses at the hospital and to get the latest information about the appeal, fundraising events taking place throughout the year - and most importantly, find out how you can get involved.