William Johnston was born with a kidney defect and had a successful operation to correct this at 3 years old. When he was 28 he suffered Chronic Kidney Failure while living and working in London, and returned to Northern Ireland to begin dialysis. He received his first kidney transplant in 1995 but 2 years later the kidney was rejected. He spent 17 years on dialysis, awaiting a second transplant, which came in 2014. William is dedicated to supporting and giving a voice to renal and transplant patients and families of Northern Ireland through roles with Kidney Care UK and NIKPA, and has spoken at Stormont and Westminster Parliament to promote organ donation.

He discovered a passion and talent for writing poetry and plays while on dialysis, and wrote a series of poems titled ‘The Loss of Hope Can Drive a Man Insane’ while on dialysis, which investigate the mental challenges of living in hope. He has written plays about organ donation and the physical and mental challenges of kidney failure and life on the ‘waiting game’ of the transplant list. His latest play “The Starman, The Superhero and The Wizards” is in development to be performed later in the year thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, under the mentorship of award-winning playwright and producer Shannon Yee. William is passionate about using the arts as a vehicle to inform and educate the general public about renal failure and promote organ donation

Paul Sibley is a Bangor-based visual artist and kidney transplant recipient. Paul worked for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for many years before taking early retirement due to kidney failure. Paul was on dialysis on several years, and spent his sessions painting and drawing. He worked closely with Alistair MacKenzie, Renal Social Worker, at the Ulster Hospital Renal Unit to introduce arts programmes for the dialysis unit and encouraged his fellow patients to explore their creative side.

Paul recognized the similarity in shape of the kidney and an artist’s palette, and created a beautiful painting of a rainbow kidney as a gift for his surgeon shortly after receiving his kidney transplant. Paul kindly gave permission for the Renal Arts Group to adopt his rainbow kidney as the symbol for our group. .

Daniel O’Rourke is a singer, songwriter and kidney transplant recipient. He was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome and had his first kidney transplant at the age of 3 from a deceased donor, and at 25 had his second kidney transplant from his father.

"Music has played such a massive part in my life. I play, guitar, drums and piano. Songwriting, playing and performing music has been a real help in my life. Being a renal patient does come with it’s stresses and worries. Even when you finally have your transplant there are mental and physical scars that take time to heal. I am delighted to be part of a group that looks at creative and artistic ways to help renal patients".'

Mayleen Laico is nephrologist practicing in Cebu City, Philippines. She graduated from New York Medical College - Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York City in June 1997 and returned to the Philippines to practice Internal Medicine and Nephrology in May 1998. Since then she has been in active clinical practice and a part of the hospital administration of Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City as an Assistant Medical Director for Continuing Medical Education. She discovered a love of art later in life, initially through adult colouring books and, through the encouragement of friends, began to draw and paint her own work. Her artwork has been featured on the cover of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases and other academic journals.

"I find joy in combining science and art in my paintings. I try to incorporate anatomy and physiology in my work. My inspiration for paintings are mainly my patients, my physician colleagues and my family. The greatest reward for me is when my work is appreciated and when my work affects the emotions of people."