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Naia with her dad, Adrian holding the comic book with Christmas tree and fireplace behind them.

Naia’s comic gives thanks to Evelina London’s heroes

Swimming enthusiast Naia and her dad created an action-packed comic book to raise awareness of the incredible care she received at Evelina London Children’s Hospital following her kidney transplant.

Naia’s diagnosis

In 2022, Naia was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a condition that causes kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine. She was transferred to the specialist care of Evelina London on her 10th birthday after her kidney function dropped rapidly low.

Following a year of dialysis, Naia’s only treatment option was a transplant and thankfully both her parents were a match.

In November 2023, she received the most amazing gift, one of her dad’s kidneys.

A year after her life-saving kidney transplant, Naia is now thriving. This past Christmas, the whole family celebrated in Cornwall with their extended family for the first time in three years.

“That day when both my eldest daughter and husband were in surgery was awful, but the transplant has given Naia her life back.”

Stacey, Naia’s mum
Naia with her family at the British Transplant Games

Naia’s first British Transplant Games

This summer, Naia competed at her first British Transplant Games, an annual event that brings together families of organ donors and recipients from across the UK to celebrate life and give thanks to organ donors.

Adrian, Naia’s dad said:

“Before Naia became unwell, I hadn’t thought about donating a kidney, but she needed it, and I had a spare. It is very satisfying to help someone, if she hadn’t needed it, I would have considered donating it to a stranger too.”

Privet Investigators comic illustration of an green creature with multiple eyes and two children and a dog on the bottom.

Adrian thanks Evelina London through his love of comics

Together, the father and daughter duo have created an all-ages comic issue that includes imaginative tales of detectives and a robot city, along with a piece Naia authored about her care at Evelina London and how the team helped her.

Adrian said, “I’ve always loved comics, they help children to read and understand the world around them. I thought I should use my skills and pay them forward.”

Naia, who compares Evelina London to a massive shopping centre, where they can do all your procedures under one roof, said: “The last two years have been incredibly difficult in so many ways… but Evelina London has supported me through every step of my diagnosis. They helped me understand more about my disease and how to help myself physically and mentally to be as resilient as possible when facing hard times.”

All profits from the comic, the first children’s issue in the SHIFT series, will go to Evelina London Children’s Charity. Thanks to amazing supporters like Adrian, we’re able to continue supporting the compassionate, trailblazing care at Evelina London.

The comic can be purchased through The Shift website, where you can also find the latest information on where it’s available in stores near you.

Help us make incredible things happen at Evelina London for children like Naia.

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