Mads Reicher

Why I’m Taking on the Red Socks Run

This year I’m proud to be part of the Red Socks Run, a movement dedicated to kidney health and the vision of ending dialysis by 2050. While this run is about staying active and challenging myself, the real reason I’m running is for others — for the thousands of people who are still living through the challenges I once faced.

My connection to this cause is deeply personal. In 2017, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. After nearly a year of chemotherapy and steroid treatments, my kidneys failed, and I began dialysis. I spent over a year on peritoneal dialysis, and it was one of the most difficult times of my life. Dialysis left me feeling worse than chemotherapy ever had, and it took such a toll on my body and mind. It’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

I was incredibly fortunate to receive a kidney transplant from my mum, who gave me the greatest gift possible. That transplant gave me back my life and a chance to move forward. But the reality is, so many people are still waiting for that gift, still hooked up to machines every day, and still enduring the relentless cycle of dialysis.

That’s why the Red Socks Run matters. It’s about more than fitness or fundraising — it’s about raising awareness, pushing for change, and working toward a future where dialysis is no longer the only option.