What we support...

The charity has two specific causes it supports with the funds raised.

The first is research work. The Western‘s Renal Unit is involved in some pioneering research work in the field of research both into the causesof renal problems and the treatment.

Whenever research work is published in the medical journals the financial support given by this charity is always recognised.

Research labs have also benefitted from the work of the charity - and again whether it‘s equipment or research supplies, the support is recognised.

Overthe years the charity has helped patients. We‘ve purchased vital home dialysis units for patients. Without question the impact of dialysis on the life of an individual can be catastrophic.

By allowing the patient to undergo dialysis at home, he or she can not only retain  more of a ‘normal‘ life but also be closer to family members.

We‘ve brought some comfort into the lives of those on dialysis in the hospital. We‘ve purchased DVD players, CD players, laptops, special comfort cushions and even given some of the patient areas a ‘makeover‘so the environment in which they need to spend endless hours is more bearable.

It may not sound like a big thing - but something simple like a specially designed cushion can make those long hourslinked to the dialysis machine a more comfortable - and bearable -experience.

In recent years the Charity has mainly been supporting the research of teams led by Alan Jardine, Professor of Renal Medicine,University of Glasgow and Dr Paul Shiels, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pathology,University of Glasgow.
 
Professor Jardine‘s research in to the effects of kidney disease and kidney transplantation on the heart has led to breakthroughs in the treatment of patients with kidney disease and has gained international recognition.

His team has used several sophisticated techniques including magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to look more closely at the hearts of people with kidney disease than can be achieved with conventional methods.

Dr Paul Shiels’ team has been at the forefront of attempts to use stem cells(the repair cells of the body) to treat chronic conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes.

Other work in his laboratory has identified novel effects of the ageing process within cells of the bodyon kidney transplants that, it is hoped, will lead to ways of improving the function of transplant kidneys.

Work by the two teams,supported by the charity, has been published in numerous articles in scientific journals, a selection of which are shown on the PDF below....please click on it to read more.

Recently the charity has helped to provide a novel distraction during surgery.
 
Patients with kidney failure need surgery  on the arm to create a way of attaching the bloodstream to the dialysis machine.

An increasing amount of this type of surgery is now being undertaken under local anaesthetic but the operation is intricate and can take a couple of hours.

Dr Nick Pace consultant anaesthetist at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow who has many years of experience looking after the patients during these operations ,  came up with a novel way of relieving the patients’ anxiety during surgery.  

With the help of Ramsay Thompson in medical engineering and generous funding from Darlinda’s Charity he designed a frame to hold a portable DVD player above the patients eyes in theatre (see photo above) so that they can watch a film or recording of their choice during surgery.

This has been used for the last 6 months and well received by patients.   Patients are surprised and delighted to be offered the chance to watch Billy Connolly or other favourites during their operation.

The DVD has proved such a success that a second DVD has been purchased so that thepatient can finish watching the DVD while the next patient starts their operation!

Dr Nick Pace, the surgeons and the theatre staff are keen to thank the Darlinda fund for their generous support on behalf of the patients.
 

Published Work