New campaign brews support to keep medical research going
A social media campaign from Kidney Research UK is raising funds to keep vital research going
A social media campaign by Peterborough-based national charity Kidney Research UK is asking supporters to share a #mugshot selfie and donate the cost of their usual weekly take-out teas and coffees to the charity. With coffee shops and cafes closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people can’t indulge their usual caffeine habits with a takeaway hot drink. The #mugshot campaign helps Kidney Research UK continue its vital work to find better treatments for kidney patients – who are at high risk if they develop coronavirus.
Over the past week dozens of kidney patients, researchers and charity supporters including radio and dancing star Debbie McGee and TV and film actor Lucy Davis, have posted photos of themselves enjoying a hot drink at home and pledging their support, making donations to Kidney Research UK to keep research going in these challenging times. Over 60,000 people on Twitter, Facebook Instagram and Linked In have seen the campaign so far.
Mae Smith, a kidney patient and Community and Events Fundraiser at the charity, said: “It is so amazing to see all staff and supporters getting involved in the campaign so passionately to keep research going.
“The research funded by the charity provides hope to a lot of kidney patients, like me, who are uncertain about their future with the disease. The #mugshot campaign shines a light on the commitment of both the charity and its supporters, to keep this incredible research going and, ultimately, keep that hope alive for kidney patients. We would love to see lots more people involved.”
Kidney Research UK is committed to funding some of the best renal researchers across the country in the hope of finding new and better treatments – and ultimately a cure - for those living with kidney disease. Three million people in the UK have kidney disease, although one million of those are unaware they have the condition.
Get involved
The charity is encouraging as many people as possible to take part in its #mugshot campaign so that it can continue its research now and longer term.
To get involved, upload a selfie at home with your favourite mug on social media using the hashtags #mugshot and #keepresearchgoing. In the post, explain the reason for taking part in the campaign, and nominate three friends or family to continue the challenge. Tag in Kidney Research UK so the charity can share your pledge with everyone!
You can donate the cost of your weekly coffee take-outs to https://kidneyresearchuk.org/support/donate/
ENDS
Media contacts:
Kidney Research UK Press Office: 01733 367 867 or out of hours: 07733 103 830
E-mail: pressoffice@kidneyresearchuk.org
Web: www.kidneyresearchuk.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter: @kidney_research and find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
About Kidney Research UK
Founded in 1961, Kidney Research UK is the largest charity dedicated to research into kidney disease in the UK. Our vision is to free lives from kidney disease. We want to prevent kidney disease, transform treatments by funding research, and ultimately find cures for kidney diseases.
In 2018-2019 we invested £8.5million into kidney disease research, supporting 75 studies aimed at improving the understanding of the kidney in both healthy and disease states and transforming treatments.
Find out if you are at risk of kidney disease with our online kidney health check: https://kidneyresearchuk.org/kidneyhealthcheck/
