Edward Campher, a former teacher, has been on dialysis for 25 years, proving that end-stage kidney disease doesn’t have to mark the end of life.
At just 36 years old, Edward Campher faced a life-altering stroke. Two years later, he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. Now, 25 years later, the 62-year-old shares his inspiring story in observance of World Kidney Day, celebrated on March 13.
Campher recalls the overwhelming moment when a doctor told him he was in end-stage renal failure. “It felt like coming to terms with the end of my life,” he says. At the time, Campher was an active primary school teacher, coaching rugby, cricket, athletics, and table tennis. His diagnosis, however, meant that his life as he knew it was about to change dramatically. “At first, I just couldn’t accept it,” he admits.
Despite his diagnosis, Campher has defied expectations. For 25 years, he has undergone dialysis three times a week—initially at National Renal Care (NRC) Netcare Garden City, and later, after relocating to the Western Cape, at NRC George. “I’m living proof that there is still life after kidney failure,” he says. Today, he enjoys attending sports matches with his son, tending to his garden, and spending time with his friends and wife.
Before his stroke, Campher had been managing type 2 diabetes. After the stroke, which left him with limited mobility on his left side, his kidney failure diagnosis followed. However, with the help of dietary adjustments and support from NRC, Campher was able to manage his blood sugar levels so effectively that, since March 2000, he no longer requires diabetes treatment.
“Kidney disease is often silent, with no obvious symptoms until it reaches a critical stage,” said Tilly Govender, Clinical Executive of NRC. “It can strike at any age, and the leading cause of chronic kidney disease is hypertension, which affects 38% of patients according to the 2021 South African Renal Registry.” Other risk factors include a family history of kidney disease, diabetes, infections, trauma, and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), among others.
With early detection, kidney function can often be preserved, delaying or preventing the need for dialysis. “Engaging patients and empowering them to manage their condition is crucial,” Govender explains. “At NRC, we focus on partnering with renal patients and their caregivers, guiding them through their treatment while keeping their individual needs and priorities at the forefront.”
Campher, who remains active in his church and community, emphasizes that he hasn’t let his condition define him. “I am the same person I was before,” he says. “I told my friends, ‘You don’t have to treat me any differently.’ I’m still involved with my dialysis colleagues, and we support each other every step of the way.”
As Campher’s journey shows, even in the face of end-stage kidney disease, life can continue, filled with purpose and meaning.
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