Ref. 25821-11KIDNEY patient Rachael Bowden and her family are hoping the New Year will bring some long-awaited good news - that the teenager will finally be able to have a transplant.

The 16-year-old suffers from a rare condition called nephrotic syndrome, which affects one in a million children in Britain.

The disease scars the kidneys and eventually causes them to fail.

But Rachael has not been able to have the organ replaced because her blood chemistry levels have not been stable.

She is hoping to be placed on the transplant list in January. Until she gets a transplant she has to have nine hours of dialysis each night.

Despite this Rachael remains optimistic. Earlier this year, she was nominated for a bravery award by Wootton Bassett School because of the courageous way she deals with her condition.

She said: "All the blood levels are going the right way so I might be heading for a transplant."

She wanted to thank all the staff at the Bristol Children's Hospital and Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

The family was having a quiet Christmas but Rachael was just pleased she could spend it at her home in Otter Way, Wootton Bassett, with her parents and twin sisters Vicky and Katie.

"Last year I was in hospital and was only allowed out for two days.

"I had to go back in to get a catheter fitted so I could have the dialysis."

Nephrotic syndrome is a secondary disease relating to kidney problems, and Rachael is unable to have a transplant until it settles down.

Dad Chris, 41, said: "Her blood chemistry has to be ready so that when she has a new kidney it will work, otherwise it will go the same way as the old.

"We are just waiting now, obviously she is very anxious but she copes with it very well.

"When she is well enough she will go on the transplant list.

"From that time we have to be within two hours of a hospital."

Rachael will have a transplant at the Bristol Children's Hospital when the time comes.

She cannot attend school regularly because of her condition. But she has a home tutor Pamela Hares who walked the length of Hadrian's Wall in aid of the National Kidney Research Fund after being inspired by her pupil. Her walk raised £450 for the charity.

Rachael also has another home tutor Val Kay who teaches her maths and science.

Bhavani Vadde