Kidney Research Fund Northern Ireland

Welcome to the web site of the Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund.

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We are a voluntary organisation which exists to support research and treatment of kidney disease

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Promoting the National Organ Donor Register.

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The NIKRF supports a wide variety of research projects that explore why persons develop kidney failure

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Support and promote research into the causes, prevention and possible cures for kidney disease.
Provide specialised equipment for research and advances in treatment of kidney diseases unavailable from the National Health Service.
To increase public awareness of kidney disease and the success of modern treatment including transplantation.
To promote the National Organ Donor Register.

How we help

We look at all possible ways to inform and equip

Success Stories
In addition to supporting research the NIKRF also provides funding for equipment unavailable from the National Health Service.
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Research
The NIKRF supports a wide variety of research projects that explore why persons develop kidney failure and assess the best forms of treatment for these kidney conditions.
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Our Aims
The Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund aims to raise funds
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FAQ's

Some of the main questions people ask

When was the first transplant?

A cornea was first transplanted in 1905. Blood transfusion became established in 1918 and the first successful kidney transplant was in 1954. The first heart transplant took place in 1967.

Why do we need to agree to become donors?

Because in the United Kingdom organs from a potential donor cannot be taken for transplantation without the relatives’ permission.

Can't they keep you alive with machines?

Machines can keep the blood circulating after death and this allows organs to be used for transplantation, but a patient who is brain-stem dead cannot recover.