Tony Ward

For the past 12 years Tony has been an inspiration for thousands of renal patients worldwide, showing them it is possible to have a life on dialysis. In 1999 a failed transplant left him semi paralysed, with severe lung damage. After 13 weeks in intensive care Tony had to learn to walk again. Against medical expectations he continued to climb, Mont Blanc, Toubkal carrying the dialysis kit he needed to survive. He cycled from John O'Groats to landsend to raise awareness of Kidney disease and raised over £50,000 for Kidney Research and inspired research into the benefits of exercise for Dialysis and transplant patients. Tony gives other patients and their families hope, and shows them that despite their illness they can continue, and enjoy their lives. He also raises awareness, and with medics and kidney charities developed information DVD's to help newly diagnosed patients make the right treatment choices. Renal disease is often overlooked, but there are 4 million patiients in the UK alone, Tony is determined to give patients them a voice.