Prune belly syndrome (also referred to as abdominal muscle deficiency syndrome) led to Charles’ kidneys being unable to adequately filter waste products from the blood. He received dialysis treatment for the first four years of his life.

He was under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and three years later a perfect match donor was found, enabling Charles to have a kidney transplant.

On average, black and Asian patients wait longer for a kidney transplant than white patients, due to the lack of suitable organs. Blood and tissue types need to match for a successful transplant and organs from people from the same ethnic background are more likely to be a close match.

Charles was no exception. But when the time came, the transplant was a success.

Charles has grown physically fitter and stronger, and recently competed in his second Transplant games as a key member of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Renal Team. He came away with a bronze medal in table tennis and gold in the adult cycling 5km time trials. Charles now leads a completely normal life and has set his sights on a place at university, where he wants to study engineering.

He is unable to personally thank the donor for transforming his life, but would like to meet or speak to the donor family one day.
To find out more about Charles’ story watch the film at nhsbt.nhs.uk/teaching-resources