Hi everyone,

My name is Marek. I was born with only one kidney, and at the age of four, as a result of medical negligence, I was left to live with a stoma. I spent a large part of my childhood in hospitals, and to this day, hospitals are a big part of my life. I’ve never felt sorry for myself; I’ve always believed that others have it harder, so I’ve got no reason to complain.

I’ve managed to get by all my life, regardless of my illnesses. Unfortunately, in August 2023, I was admitted to the ICU in a critical condition; my only kidney had stopped working, causing fluid to build up in my body instead of being excreted, the excess fluid in my body amounted to as much as 14kg, resulting in my lungs being flooded, which made it impossible for me to breathe.

Since then, I have been on dialysis three times a week for four hours each session. Despite everything, I am not giving up; I have already completed all the tests required for a kidney transplant, which is my only chance of returning to a reasonably normal life.

With every passing day I am getting weaker; it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to walk because all my muscles ache, my legs are swelling and making it hard for me to move around.

However, I’m still working in security; I have to make a living somehow, and my mum, who’s retired, wouldn’t be able to support us on her own. It’s hard without my dad; he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in November 2022.

I’m not pinning my hopes on this fundraiser, as I realise there are people who need this help more than I do. However, I can’t manage on my own any longer and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep going ‘more or less’.

Every donation, no matter how small, is a brick that will lift the financial burden from me, even if only slightly. I’ve been battling illness my whole life and I have to keep coping with it on my own, but I need support with my finances.

I will be immensely grateful for every donation, no matter how small, and I will repay your kindness by being a good person myself...