Grace Woodford

Chronic and Iconic

I was born with renal failure and received a kidney transplant from my dad when I was just four years old. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to avoid dialysis myself, and my transplant journey has been relatively smooth.

But growing up with kidney disease has given me a real understanding of how much it can impact a person’s life — and I’ve met and know many people who haven’t had the same journey I have. For them, kidney disease has meant years of dialysis, hospital visits, uncertainty and challenges that no one should have to face alone.

That’s why I’m taking on the Red Socks Challenge.

I’m doing these 60km for the people who spend around 60 hours a month connected to a dialysis machine, and for everyone navigating the reality of kidney disease. I want to help raise awareness, show that kidney disease can affect people at every stage of life, and support a future where people living with CKD have better care, more support and fewer limitations.

I may have been lucky enough to avoid dialysis, but I don’t take that luck for granted — and I want to use my experience to stand alongside those who haven’t been as fortunate.