A Glasgow double kidney transplant survivor who almost died has taken on a huge charity challenge alongside one of the family members who helped save her life.
Ifrah Raza, 31, fell ill suddenly when she was 11 years old. She was soon diagnosed with kidney failure as medics discovered her kidneys also measured small.
The fighter suffered a cardiac arrest and fell into a coma for a few days and doctors prepared loved ones to 'say their final goodbyes'. Miraculously, Ifrah survived and two years later her uncle, Ijaz, donated a kidney to help her on the road to recovery.
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She previously told Glasgow Live: “Everything happened so suddenly, I didn’t have any health issues before my diagnosis. We later discovered that I was born with small kidneys, but I didn’t have any symptoms until it was too late.
“The first time round it was all new to us, it came as a complete shock. I was critically ill.
"I had a cardiac arrest and was in a coma for a few days. The doctors had told my family to come say their goodbyes, they said it was a miracle that I survived.
“I was only 11 at the time so I didn’t really have much say in the transplant side of things, everything was discussed with my parents, but my family immediately put themselves forward."
When one of her kidneys started to fail again as an adult her brother, Adeel, 29, stepped up and donated his kidney in September 2020.
She added: “The second time round, I was more prepared as I always knew that I’d need another transplant at some point. Unfortunately, a distressing life event triggered my first transplant to start failing again, but this time me and my family knew a lot more about the process.
“Both of my brothers wanted to help. I was definitely more hesitant than them, I just didn’t feel comfortable with it, but they were keen to push on with the tests.
“The process had to be paused due to Covid-19, but fortunately Adeel had gone through most of major tests by March 2020, although we didn’t yet know whether he was a match. So in the interim I had to go back on dialysis."
Ifrah added: "I got the transplant in late September. Amazingly the transplanted kidney worked almost instantly.
"We weren’t allowed any visitors this time round so it was very different to the first time, but Adeel and I were able to see each other and have Zoom calls with family as we recovered."
In a bid to help other families faced with similar health struggles, the brave siblings are taking on Glasgow's Zipslide Across the Clyde in aid of Kidney Research UK. Participants launch themselves from a height of 150 feet, off a cherry picker, across the River Clyde, landing next to the Riverside Museum.
She added: "We're both adrenaline junkies and the fact that we could do such a big thing just three days before the actual anniversary of the transplant was just perfect. It's been our thing to call it a 'kidneyversary' and it's a nice thing to remember and almost be able to celebrate.
"I've been so lucky with both my transplants and really do have an amazing family."
The Zipslide Across the Clyde challenge takes place on Sunday, September 18. You can donate to their online fundraiser here.
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