Meet the Voices Behind the Choir

Each voice in our choir carries a story of love, courage, and sacrifice. Every one of us has either received or given the gift of life through kidney donation — a journey shaped by family, community, and the bravery to share one kidney so another person can live.

Singing is our way of serving others. Through music, we honour our lived experiences, raise awareness in the Black community, and inspire more people to understand, support, and consider living kidney donation.

Together, we turn our stories into hope and hope into action.

Below, you’ll meet the voices behind our choir, each one a testament to resilience and the life changing power of living kidney donation.

Dela Idowu

Founder

I’m Dela Idowu, the creator of the Black Living Donor Choir. Through music, we’ve been educating, inspiring, and encouraging people to learn more about living donation, especially within the Black community. I’m proud of what we’re achieving, and I’m excited about the future as we continue to raise awareness and transform lives through GOLD’s community engagement work.

As someone who came forward as a living donor for my brother, I know firsthand what it’s like to have those difficult conversations. The lived experiences and collective stories of the choir help make these conversations easier, empowering more people to consider the life-changing impact of living donation.

Colin Vassell

BLDC Member

Colin Vassell is a leading international vocal coach, choir director, and singer of inspirational and gospel music. Having helped establish several community choirs, Colin has dedicated his career to using music to bring people together and inspire positive change.

Inspired by his own journey as a kidney patient waiting for a transplant, Colin became the driving force behind the creation of the Black Living Donor Choir. Through his vision and passion, he helped transform the choir from its beginnings into a powerful movement, reaching national audiences through Britain’s Got Tale

Carleen Kerr

BLDC Member

Carleen qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1986 and has dedicated over 35 years to renal nursing at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust. Her experience spans haemodialysis, renal outpatient care, transplant services, and advanced kidney care. Through her role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Carleen developed a passion for improving health equity for people from the Black community, she loves singing and joins the choir as a supporter.

Sarah Louis

BLDC Member

My name is Sarah Louise, and I am a living kidney donor. In 2008, I donated one of my kidneys to my son because he needed a transplant, and I was a suitable match. Thankfully, he never had to go on dialysis, which allowed him to continue living his life and doing the things he loved.

As for me, I hardly notice that I have only one kidney. Donating a kidney has not changed my life in a negative way, but it completely changed my son’s life for the better. Being able to give someone a second chance at life is one of the greatest gifts I could ever give.

Phil Ryan

BLDC Member

In 1993, my wife Denise was diagnosed with lupus after giving birth to our son, which soon led to kidney failure and years of dialysis. Denise later received a deceased donor transplant, and during that time, I proposed to her on her 40th birthday. Sadly, our happiness was short-lived when a virus attacked her donated kidney, and she had to return to dialysis.

After discussing living donation, I donated one of my kidneys through the UK’s 3-way kidney swap scheme. We were the first participants in this pioneering operation on 25 July 2018, and it was a success. Seeing Denise enjoy a better quality of life brings immense joy to me, our son, and our family and friends.

Derricka Simpson

BLDC Member

Derricka’s life changed in June 2018 when she learnt that her father Derrick had end stage kidney failure.

Rather than see him go on dialysis she immediately decided to become his living donor – a brave and selfless undertaking for a 20 year old woman.

Derricka underwent a series of rigorous physical and psychological tests before both she successfully donated in November 2019.

‘He’s a happy, healthy new man’

She said: “Since donating to my dad, he’s been active like 15 year old boy! He is now able to resume playing his favourite game of dominos of Friday, he can follow me grocery shopping on weekends and just do the simple things that we normally took for granted.

“He’s honestly a new, happy and healthy man since having a live donor transplant, it was the best gift I could give him

Roseline Agyekum

BLDC Member

Roseline is a dedicated nurse with extensive knowledge of kidney care through education, research, and community engagement. After qualifying as a General Registered Nurse in Ghana, she earned a Master of Science in Advanced Practice – Education from King’s College London. As Lead Nurse for Clinical Practice & Education at King’s College Hospital and a Senior Practitioner Lecturer, she champions quality improvement in renal care. She joins the choir as a supporter as she has soon how music has the power to shift mindsets to organ donation.

Polly Todd

BLDC Member

What inspired me to donate to my brother was the simple fact that I didn’t want to see him go through dialysis. I knew I could help make his life better, and of course, I wanted him to be able to enjoy a full life with his young children. We grew up in Dulwich, Southeast London, in a loving, caring, and nurturing family. Our parents instilled in us the importance of family and always reminded us, “Don’t fight with your brother or sister; they will end up being your best friend.” They were indeed right.

Chizoba Muoneke

BLDC Member

I have been a kidney transplant recipient for nearly six years. I am also a Black Living Donor Buddy, supporting Black individuals affected by kidney disease. My journey through kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation has given me a deep understanding of the emotional and practical challenges faced by patients and their families. Through sharing my journey, I hope to encourage and reassure others who may be facing similar experiences. My aim is to support Black kidney patients and prospective living donors by helping them feel less alone and better informed. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire positive conversations, offer encouragement, and empower others to make informed decisions about their care.

Suzanne Mark

BLDC Member

When my daughter was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, our family was devastated. In a short period, her condition continued to worsen until we finally discovered that her kidneys were failing and she had chronic kidney disease. Dialysis became part of her life, leaving her exhausted and unable to live the life she wanted with her young children.

After a long assessment process and several postponed transplant dates, I donated her my kidney. Watching my daughter regain her health, return to work, and enjoy life with her children has been the greatest reward I could have imagined. Donating my kidney gave her a second chance at life, but it also gave our entire family hope and precious time together. Living donation truly is a gift that changes lives, not only for the recipient, but for everyone who loves them.

Vera Soares

BLDC Member

I am what is known as an altruistic donor, meaning I donated one of my kidneys to someone outside my family. That person was Lloyd, whom I first met at my sister’s wedding. He was my brother-in-law’s best friend. Lloyd had kidney failure and urgently needed a transplant. My sister and brother-in-law were both tested as living donors but were not compatible.

When I heard the news, I thought, “Why not get tested myself?” Everyone thought I was crazy because Lloyd was neither family nor even a close friend. Once I discovered I was a match, nothing could change my mind. I wanted to give someone the chance to live a healthier life and regain hope. Today, we are both doing amazingly well, and I am incredibly proud of my decision.

(Information taken from the GOLD website)

Bertram Jones

BLDC Member

Bertram’s story began in early 2017, when his wife needed a kidney transplant. No one in her family was a suitable match, so he quietly arranged an appointment with the transplant team to see if he could become her donor. Encouraged by his friendship with Dela, he stepped forward while his wife was too weak even for a hug. Although he wasn’t a match, the team introduced him to the Kidney Sharing Scheme. In 2018, the program found a match for his wife, allowing both of them to give and receive a kidney. In 2022, Bertram joined GOLD and later the Black Living Donor Choir to share their story and show that life after donation is full of hope and music.

(This story was taken from Kidney Matters magazine – Summer 2025)

Vicki Gordon

BLDC Member

It was simply the right thing to do! I had two kidneys, and my husband needed one. I could live perfectly well with one, so why not give him the gift of life? It was also a gift to our children and our family. Since Wayne has been healthy, we have been able to enjoy more quality time together. No more long hours spent on dialysis or seeing him completely drained by the treatment. Those days may return — we know that. However, for now, we are living our best life!

Funmi Tinuoye

BLDC Member

When my young daughter was diagnosed with kidney failure, I was devastated and felt helpless until I was told that I could become her living donor and donate one of my kidneys. It was an easy decision, and I was overjoyed when I found out I was a compatible match. Sadly, the transplant eventually failed, and my daughter had to return to dialysis. As a family, we were heartbroken, but we never regretted the decision. In fact, it was the best decision I have ever made. Although my kidney only lasted a short time, every moment it worked inside my daughter was worth it.

Lloyd Esson

BLDC Member

I offered to donate my kidney to my brother because he had polycystic kidney disease and needed a kidney transplant. When he asked if I could be his donor, I said yes without hesitation. I wanted to give my brother a new lease of life. Now that he is happy and healthy, I am incredibly pleased to have been his living donor.

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