Sunderland man hopes to influence others after achieving university lecturer dream following a kidney transplant

Kudz Munongi has set out to raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of transplants.

Kudz Munongi, 39, plans to help members of the local community by becoming a community ambassador for Kidney Research UK after being on dialysis for nearly five years before successfully receiving a kidney transplant 13 years ago.

The Senior Lecturer in Finance and Accounting achieved his dream of becoming a lecturer after going to University following the organ transplantation.

Now, the 39-year-old wants to raise awareness of the importance of organ donations and research to make life better for people living with kidney disease.

Kudz Munongi is now a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland.

Mr Munongi said it would have been “impossible to survive this long and lead a happy life” without the kidney transplant so wants to make people aware of how much organ donations mean to people.

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At 22-years-old Kudz temporarily lost his eyesight before physicians quickly realised it was kidney failure when he had excessive fluid retention and had to be put on dialysis as a matter of urgency.

He said: “There is currently no cure for kidney disease and transplants sadly don’t last forever.

"Dialysis can be gruelling so I hope that by being a community ambassador I can raise awareness and also encourage people in our area to get involved in fundraising for vital research.”

Kudz added: “I have seen first-hand how kidney disease can impact people’s lives. I am now giving something back to the charity that is close to my heart by being a community ambassador for Kidney Research UK.”

The lecturer, who has been back on dialysis since December 2020, is now part of a team of volunteer community ambassadors across the UK who are raising money and awareness for Kidney Research UK on World Kidney Day on Thursday, March 11.

He said: “I have a passion to help and influence others who might be struggling with kidney disease and love chatting to anyone interested in knowing more.

"Organ donations are limited so I want to make people aware that by donating their organs, it can change someone’s life.”

You can contact community ambassador Kudz by emailing [email protected]

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