IDKA
Ipswich & District Kidney Association
The IDKA Commitee
President
Gerald Glancey
Renal Consultant
Ipswich Hospital
Co-opted Members
Jo Bennett
Gill Gilbert
Renal Unit Manager
Clinical Nurse Manager
Ipswich Renal Unit
Ipswich Renal Unit
The Volunteers on the Committee with named roles
Chair - Doug Swayze
"Hello, my name is Doug and I joined IDKA when my wife started dialysis some years ago. I have always been impressed by what it has achieved with just a few volunteers, so when I was in a position to devote a bit more time to it I was glad to join the committee and am currently chairman. Before I retired I was a manager in a large aircraft company (NCO in the RAF!) but now devote my spare time to some neglected hobbies and helping out at a local charity for Disabled People."
Vice-chair - Les Talbott
"I am quite happy to be known as 'Les' and have been a Haemodialysis patient for coming up to ten years , which means I have had more than 1400 sessions - like I told the staff we will be getting old together!
I had to retire from my demanding and strenuous job but filled the void by doing charity work, I helped as a volunteer driver for 'Optua' for many years and was a founding commitee member of SDAF (Suffolk disabled angling forum) which helps disabled people access and enjoy the pleasure of fishing , I also am a commitee member of Suffolk Coastal Disability sport and leisure forum which supports and encourage sporting facilities in the Suffolk coastal area .
During my time on Dialysis I became aware of IDKA and supported their functions wherever possible. When it became evident the cause was tired and needed revamping I was invited to take on the role of vice chairman. Rather than folding up IDKA seems to have found second wind and gained support and encouragement from within its membership over the coming months I would like to see the group fine tuned to be able to reach the aims of the group."
Treasurer - Peter Lawrence
"Hello. I'm Peter your treasurer, having joined the Committee in 1992 and become treasurer a year later. I had a successful transplant in 1994 which continues to function well. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my donor, her family and the wonderful medical staff at Ipswich who look after me and it is for them and you that I serve IDKA as a means of giving something back.
I work full time as manager of a licensed bookmaker (posh name for betting shop!!), am married to Linda and have two adult children and a 3 year old granddaughter. In my spare time, I enjoy watching a variety of sports, going to the gym, reading true crime and World War I and II books, and very occasionally chasing around the world to see an awe-inspiring total eclipse of the sun."
Publicity Secretary - Carol Negus
It was 1998 when I started CAPD home dialysis which continued for nearly two years and I must say it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. On the 4th August 2000 I was very lucky and received a very special gift, a transplant which changed my life. During a check up at Adenbrookes I met Winston Chapman (former chairman of IDKA) we got talking and he introduced me to IDKA, and through the Kidney Association I have met many lovely people who have mostly been through the same as me. I truly wanted to see if I could help in any way, for many reason, mainly in memory of my kidney donor and their family, who I think of often. I am the publicity officer for IDKA but I do have a lot of help by the rest of the commitee as I am not a very out going person. I am married to Eric with two grown up children and about to become a grandparent for the first time, I am so excited. After my transplant I took up a great hobby, watercolour painting, it is something I have always been interested in and after all the treatment I had been through made me re-evaluate my life and think now is the time to make time for it and would urge every one else to do the same.
Membership Secretary - Stacey Pratt
"Hi I am Stacey, I have served on the Committee for 22 years, which I joined after receiving a Kidney Transplant. I am currently the Membership Secretary. I work part-time as a Software Developer and also volunteer at a charity shop."
Media Secretary - Juls Buck
"Hi, I'm Julian but I prefer to be called Juls. (Yes, without an "e") I have been on Haemodialysis this time since October 2000 but I first started it in September 1992 and had a transplant on November 26th 1994 which lasted about 6 years.
I am a type I diabetic and as a result of diabetic foot ulcers I have a left side leg, below the knee amputation. I am the Media Secretary on the IDKA Committee, producing this website as well as a quarterly magazine, for kidney patients, their family-carers, friends and relatives.
I also volunteer for Suffolk Family Carers, my local Patient Participation Group (PPG - at my GP's Surgery) and was a member of the HealthWatch Implementation Executive (HWIE), another voluntary role whereby 12 of us helped to create the new Healthwatch Suffolk service.
Apart from my other volunteering work, I really enjoy my current role within IDKA and hope that both "media" are a success and help to bring kidney patients and IDKA closer. I really do want the information in both to be useful and aid you all in your everyday life.
Secretary Required
We desperately require an IDKA member to act as secretary in our monthly committee meetings. The duties will be to essentially take the minutes and also ensure that they are delivered to all committee members and filed appropriately.
Aldeburgh Representative - Len Ralph
"Hi, I'm Len, I am now 63 and I have lived with Insulin Dependant Diabetic Metalus (IDDM - Type I Diabetis) since 8 years old. I received C.A.P.Dialysis for three years from 2005, then an unsuccessful kidney transplant in 2008. Two further night time journeys to Addenbrooks, both false alarms, I have now accepted it is not going happen as age is not in my favour. At present I am on Heamo at the Aldeburgh unit. By being on the IDKA commitee I may be able to help somebody with similar problems."