51-year-old Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman, mother of five, and mutha (nanna) of four Kelli lives every day with gratitude.
Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at 19, Kelli is
a passionate advocate for kidney health and care, and is a
testament to innovative research and incredible courage.
Without research I wouldn’t be here
– Kelli Owen, chronic kidney disease fighter
At 19, Kelli was living and studying in Darwin with her two-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed with genetic kidney disease.
It wasn’t until during her final pregnancy that Kelli underwent a kidney biopsy to try and understand the cause of loss of blood. Her kidney function was at 30%, and she was told within 5 years she would be on dialysis and in need of a transplant. Kelli faced ongoing challenges over the next few years. From struggling to keep her calcium levels up, to undergoing a thyroidectomy, and balancing travelling for treatment, working and caring for her family, and advocating for her health. Kelli began to lose hope that she would receive a transplant due to antibodies she had acquired during pregnancy, making a match
difficult.
“I just couldn’t see the end of the line with a phone call being made for a transplant,” she says.
However, in 2016 May 16th forever became her ‘thank you day’ when she received the call for a lifesaving kidney transplant.
Today Kelli is healthy and happy, working across a number of organisations towards culturally appropriate solutions to increase
equity and access to kidney care and transplantation. Kelli’s lifesaving kidney transplant has gifted her so many precious
memories with her family.
From welcoming three grandchildren into the world and witnessing her first granddaughter being born in December, to watching her eldest daughter graduate with a double degree, and so many more special moments she thought she wouldn’t get to see.
“I’ve been able to witness the kinds of life events I wanted to but thought I never would.”
For Kelli, as a mother and mutha, the challenges faced by many women living with CKD while navigating pregnancy hits
at her core.
“I was lucky I had all my babies early, but many have that right taken away because of a disease they didn’t ask to get.”
“If we’re not supporting research to tackle kidney disease we are going to be losing loved ones, and we are going to be losing
future babies.”
Your donation this festive season will help even more Australian women living with CKD like Kelli embark on motherhood safely.