Probably the most frequent question I’ve been asked has been “Why?”.
For me, this was fairly simple and straightforward: I believe that if you are in a position to help someone else less fortunate than yourself, then you should do so.
After my initial appointment and several months of comprehensive tests, I was finally told that a potential good match had been found and a date for the transplant was agreed, the eve of my 67th birthday!
Because of the friendly, open and highly professional attitude of the entire team that I had met, I was completely confident throughout the process that I was in the best possible hands. On the second day after my surgery, the surgeon told me he had heard from the recipient’s surgical team – the operation had gone well and the kidney appeared to be working well, the best possible news I could have heard. Suddenly and unexpectedly, I felt very emotional. When told that, on recovery, the recipient had immediately asked after me, I found it difficult to hold back the tears.
My experience has not all been about donation. I have personally received a lot from the knowledge that I have helped improve the quality of life of someone else. Perhaps the greatest thing is a feeling of privilege and gratitude for having been able to contribute to the work of the transplant teams who are doing this amazing work, week in and week out.
