Tabatha Hawley

Why is this important to me?

💜 Why This Charity Matters to Me 💜

This cause is deeply personal — I’m one of the 2.7 million Australians affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD).

In 2017, I noticed visible blood in my urine. I spent months undergoing tests — for infections, bladder tears, and even uterine ultrasounds — but nothing showed up. It wasn’t until much later that doctors ran a protein PCR test, which revealed signs of kidney damage.

At the time, I couldn’t get a biopsy in the state I was living in to confirm a diagnosis. It wasn’t until I became pregnant with my son in 2020 and was referred to a specialist hospital in NSW that they suspected I had IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)— an autoimmune kidney disease caused by a buildup of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the kidneys. It’s a condition that’s often underdiagnosed, with many people unaware they even have it.

After a complicated pregnancy and delivery, I finally received a biopsy and a confirmed diagnosis.

Sadly, the pregnancy caused significant damage to my kidneys. Because there are so few studies on how IgAN affects pregnancy, we were navigating the unknown. By the time my son was born, two-thirds of my kidney cells had been damaged.

By the end of 2021, my kidney function had dropped to 49%.

🩺 Where I’m At Now

I’m currently holding steady at around 50% kidney function, thanks to medication that helps slow the progression of the disease. But IgAN is chronic and progressive — and eventually, I’ll require dialysis and will be placed on the kidney transplant list.

There’s no cure yet — only management.

🌿 Why I Share This

Because early detection saves lives.
Because so many live with this disease unknowingly.
Because research, awareness, and support are urgently needed.

If sharing my story helps even one person seek answers sooner, advocate for themselves, or feel less alone — it’s worth it.