Patient triumphs at Transplant Football World Cup - just three years after facing kidney failure
A young teacher from Hounslow in West London has achieved a bronze medal with England in the first Transplant Football World Cup in Italy, just three years on from receiving a life-saving kidney transplant at Hammersmith Hospital. Johnny Byamungu, 20, and his teammates in the England Transplant Football Club narrowly missed out on a gold medal after being knocked out by Spain in the final seconds of the semi-final match of the tournament, which took place in Cervia, Italy, between 8 and 14 September.
Johnny first came to the young adult kidney clinic at Hammersmith Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, four years ago when his kidney function was rapidly deteriorating. He was born with Prune-Belly syndrome, an extremely rare and serious condition which left his family worried for his life. Against the odds and following multiple surgeries, Johnny tried to live as normal a life as possible, following his love of sport, particularly football and being part of Old Isleworthians Football Club. He made it through to the age of 16, when his kidneys started to deteriorate rapidly. In spite of this, he still managed to do his Duke of Edinburgh Gold medal in the depths of the Yorkshire Dales with just 9 per cent kidney function!
Johnny started receiving dialysis at the hospital while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long because his amazing mum donated her kidney via the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme and a match was quickly found for him. The sharing scheme is for donors who aren't a suitable match for the patient they wish to donate to - it allows for the possibility for them to be matched with another donor recipient pair (or more people) in the same situation and for the donor kidneys to be swapped.
The operation was successful, although the recovery time was significant. But, with encouragement from his family, friends and NHS staff, he started to regain his confidence, get back into football and eventually link up with the England’s Transplant Football Club. He also took on an apprenticeship as a PE teacher before officially starting his teaching career at Marshgate Primary School in Surrey.
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust set up the young adult kidney clinic at Hammersmith Hospital in 2018, recognising the specific needs of young people living with chronic kidney disease. The team aims to support 16-24-year-olds as they move from children’s to adult kidney services - helping them to develop the confidence and skills required to take charge of their own healthcare, instead of their parents or carers, and learn to navigate the adult healthcare system independently. The clinic has grown steadily and is currently supporting 94 young adult patients aged 16-24, with a further 50 already moved through to adult services. The smooth transfer of patient care from children's to adult services is a priority in 2025 for West London Children’s Healthcare, the integrated children's services of Imperial College Healthcare and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Johnny said: “It was wonderful to take part in the Transplant Football World Cup and to meet so many other players who've been through similar experiences and challenges. The team felt like a family and helped me feel part of something bigger, reminding me that I'm not alone.
"Sport has always been a massive part of my life, playing football and coaching too. I'm so thankful to my family, friends and the NHS for supporting me and helping me get to where I am now, including encouraging me to take up the opportunity with England at the Transplant World Cup. I'm particularly grateful to my mum above all - and also to Suzanne Forbes and Emma Salisbury, who both work in the NHS and have done so much to support me. I hope I can do more with the England squad in the future – my main goal sport-wise is to stay fit and healthy so I can be well enough to play.
"Of course, there's been points where I've felt down and frustrated. But with help, I've been able to persevere and feel really privileged to have the opportunity to combine my passions of sport and coaching into my job as a PE teacher. My advice to anyone else is to never give up."
Dr Emma Salisbury, consultant nephrologist and clinical lead for the young adult kidney clinic at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "Johnny has come so far, and achieved so much, since he first came to our clinic. I see him as a true hero, and I know his students do too!
“There is growing recognition that young people living with long term conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, need more support to help them understand and manage their conditions with confidence. Growing up and being a teenager is hard... even before you throw in a chronic health condition. These young adults are vulnerable and it is absolutely crucial that we support them through the transition of care from children's to adult services.
“Like so many of the young people we support, Johnny has shown extraordinary strength and resolve. With support from those around him, he has not let his condition hold him back. Look what he has achieved! I like to think our service played a small part in that, and I hope his story will serve as an inspiration to other young adults living with a chronic condition.”
Find out more about the young adult kidney clinic.
