The
Children's Renal Unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children is currently supporting and running a very active
and successful research programme into discovering some of the basic causes
and treatments for kidney disease in childhood. We would like to highlight
some of the features of this research because this depends very strongly
on ongoing support from families and friends to keep it going.
The department is currently undertaking world leading research into the
causes of some of the most serious kidney diseases encountered in childhood,
such as the nephrotic syndromes, as well as research into minimising rejection
of transplanted kidneys. This will lead to a better understanding of why
these diseases occur, as well as the promise of better and more specific
treatments in the future. The renal unit research laboratory in Bristol
currently employs full-time technical and scientific staff, and results
of the research are published in highly respected scientific journals, and
presented at national and international medical conferences.
As you can imagine, the work is expensive, and there is an ongoing requirement
for items of equipment, both large and small. All of these depend on charity
funding, so we would appreciate your consideration of this in deciding where
you would like your fundraising proceeds to be spent, and indeed in developing
new ideas for fundraising.
The benefits to the Children's Renal Unit of supporting this research activity
are broad, adding to the strengths of a busy and successful clinical department,
and ultimately enhancing the treatment of our patients.