Children's Renal Unit

NeST LogoThe 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.

Photo of CRU team

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.