A 41-YEAR-old classroom assistant from Lampeter is running the Cardiff 10K road race on 11 September in aid of the Kidney Wales Foundation who have supported her through a lifetime of dealing with the devastating effects of kidney failure.

Jennifer George was studying to become a nursery nurse at Aberystwyth University when she was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome, a collection of symptoms that indicate kidney damage.

Doctors instructed Jennifer to begin taking medication, and she decided to leave university and concentrate on improving her well-being.

After two years of managing her illness, Jennifer’s health had improved and she decided to take a year out in New Zealand visiting family before settling into full-time employment.

But after two months, Jennifer’s condition deteriorated and she was given the news she had chronic kidney failure, which only dialysis could treat until a donor became available.

Returning home she began continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment, which effectively replaces kidney function, four times a day, every day.

After several years of treatment and with Jennifer fully in control of administering her CAPD herself, she decided once again to give her holiday to New Zealand a second go, only to develop peritonitis which again curtailed her visit.

On arriving home, Jennifer was advised to complete haemo dialysis treatment three to four times a week while the search for a donor continued.

In April 2014, Jennifer was back in part-time employment at Ysgol y Dderi when she received the potentially life-changing phone call that an organ was available.

She was rushed to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she received her long-awaited kidney transplant.

But unfortunately her body rejected the new kidney and Jennifer had to go back onto dialysis.

Jennifer is still on dialysis and travels to Bronglais Hospital three times a week to receive treatment.

But Jennifer and her husband David are showing their support for Kidney Wales by taking part in this year’s Cardiff 10km road race, and raising vital funds for the charity so close to their hearts.

“As soon as I came out of the transplant operation I knew that my body wasn’t accepting my new kidney and that the operation hadn’t been a success,” said Jennifer.

“Of course it was a disappointment at first, but I have come to terms with the fact that there is no solution and that my only option is to continue with my dialysis treatment.

“I feel happy and healthy in myself and later on this year my husband and I are hoping to have a home-installed dialysis machine, which means I can do the treatment myself each evening, rather than travelling to hospital so often.

“I’m really looking forward to running in this year’s Cardiff 10K and raising money for the Kidney Wales Foundation.

“The charity has done great things to help me throughout my journey and I can’t wait to give something back.

“It’s been a while since I have run a distance like this – I just hope I can do it!”