Mum's plea for kidney donor so she does not lose another daughter

Ummarah Irshad's child Uqbah Mohammed, 13, faces a battle for her young life after her stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) worsened.

A decade ago, Miss Irshad had to somehow comprehend the awful news that four-year-old Hania Muhammad had passed away suddenly due to a brain tumour.

Now the BD3 resident fears she will have to go through something similar if a kidney donor cannot be found.

Hania (right) and sister Uqbah (Image: Google)

In her plea, Miss Irshad said: "I understand this is a huge ask from anybody, but, as a mother, I am in a very difficult and desperate position.

"My 13-year-old gorgeous daughter Uqbah requires a kidney transplant urgently.

"We are seeking a willing kidney donor to come forward to help."

Uqbah has battled all of her life (Image: Google)

Uqbah has had multiple health ailments from birth, including galactosemia, right eye congenital ptosis, and autism.

Miss Irshad added: "Currently, the chance of running a successful dialysis treatment remains slim, leaving the transplant option as the only means of saving her life.

"While the NHS renal specialists and doctors at Leeds General Infirmary are trying their level best to source a kidney donor, it is proving difficult and with time running out fast, they have asked that we reach out. 

"Please kindly consider coming forward if you can help or share this message with your contacts to increase Uqbah's chances of finding a suitable kidney donor soon."

Uqbah's family have struggled to find a donor thus far (Image: Google)

She is blood group O so the potential donor would need to match this, something her close family cannot unfortunately do.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Uqbah's auntie Nalia Kahn detailed the terrible situation her family has been placed into.

She said: "Uqbah's kidney was functioning at 11 per cent but she has now deteriorated to rock bottom where an immediate transplant is needed to save her life.

"Due to her special needs, they do not think she would respond or cope very well with dialysis. But they have to try that with her condition deteriorating so quickly.

"She has always been tube-fed because orally she will not take food due to her environmental and mental delay.

"My sister had an older daughter and she passed away aged four to a brain tumour suddenly.

"So, Uqbah is her whole world. She is very special to our family. We are very close, this news has hit all of us.

"I have a four-year-old son who adores her and sends a prayer every evening. It has hit even the little children in the family.

"Uqbah has a permanent smile tattooed on her face. She repeats everything she hears, she's like a parrot. For that reason, she is loved by all very much."

Miss Irshad had been attending appointments for Uqbah every fortnight before hearing the news.

Mrs Kahn added: "She expected the doctor to say things are still stable and we are still strong. Instead, he rang to say her kidneys have completely deteriorated now.

"The only two options are a transplant or dialysis, which would be difficult because Uqbah is severely autistic.

Mrs Irshad lost Hania at the age of four (Image: Google)

"My sister was crying and saying what if it does not work? They said it was difficult but we just have to expect the worse from our end.

"It has been really tough for her. She speaks to her sisters all the time.

"We have never seen my sister break down until she got this news two weeks ago and it brought back memories of losing her first daughter.

"She is not a very strong child. It is a matter of time. It is either a transplant or we lose her.

"It is a big ask but we are hoping there is a kind-hearted person out there who will come forward and be the right match."

If you think you can help get in touch with Mrs Irshad by emailing uqbahskidneyappeal@gmail.com