Family urgently appeals for 'a kidney for Kyle' after new setback

The Park family live on a farm in Parkgate outside Antrim and Kyle is 34, with moderate learning difficulties. When he was ten-months-old, he took five convulsions in one night. Consultants later found out that only one kidney was functioning at a low percentage. Tests have shown that has shown that Kyle has HDR syndrome (hypoparathyriod, sensorineveral deafness) and renal dysplasia.

He is in Stage 4 kidney failure and doctors advised a pre-emptive transplant several year ago.

His sister Bethany, a former pupil of Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim, has spent the last number of years fundraising, not only for Kyle, but also for a number of other good causes in the local community.

Bethany said this week: “We received some very sad news following Kyle’s hospital appointment to check the function of his kidney. Kyle’s kidney function has now dropped to 14%, which means he is officially on the kidney transplant list. This means we now need to find a suitable match for Kyle as soon as possible. The consultant is hoping and praying that, if everything goes as planned, Kyle will be able to have his transplant in the New Year.

“Thankfully, apart from his Stage 4 kidney failure, Kyle is otherwise healthy, which gives us hope moving forward. As a family, this is heartbreaking and a very scary time. There are so many unknowns, and although we always knew this day would eventually come, we never expected it to happen so soon. But one thing we do know is that we’ve got this together. We will stand strong, loud and proud as a family and support Kyle every step of the way on this next part of his health journey. 2026 certainly hasn’t been our year in many ways, but we continue to stand strong together.

“For Kyle, this journey can be even more difficult to understand and process. Kyle lives with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, renal dysplasia and moderate learning difficulties, alongside his kidney failure. Growing up, Kyle didn’t receive the support he needed to fully understand and manage his conditions, meaning Mum had to juggle so much on her own, with the support of our family around her.”

Now, the family is asking for a match for Kyle.

Bethany pleaded: “If anyone would be willing to come forward and be tested to see if they could potentially be a suitable kidney donor for our precious Kyle, please get in touch. You could be the person who gives Kyle the chance of a healthier future. We completely understand that becoming a donor is a huge and very personal decision, but even being willing to get tested could mean more than we could ever put into words. Our precious Kyle deserves every chance, and we will do everything we can to help him get there.”

Bethany said that Kyle has always been a huge Mark Allen fan, and has been very moved by the Antrim snooker player's recent candid discussions about his own mental health.

She continued: “So many nights have been spent sitting with Mum until midnight watching Mark play, and we have made so many special memories travelling to watch him play live. Reading Mark’s words really touched us. Sometimes we never truly know what someone is going through behind closed doors, and Mark’s honesty about his struggles, his family and finding the strength to keep going is incredibly powerful. As a family, this means even more to us because our own Kyle is currently facing a huge battle. At just 34 years old, Kyle is now on the kidney transplant list, waiting for a suitable donor and hoping for the chance of a second chance at life. Reading Mark say “I see the light now that I couldn’t see before” reminds us how important it is to keep fighting, even when life feels incredibly difficult.”

In a personal message, Bethany added: “Mark, we’re so sorry to hear about what you have been going through. We hope you continue to find your strength, keep seeing that light and remember just how many people are behind you. Kyle will be cheering you on from the sidelines, just as he always has. And while Mark continues his own journey, Kyle is beginning a journey of his own — one that we desperately hope will lead him to his kidney match.”

If you can help, contact Bethany on [email protected]