I’m Alastair and I’m a queer nerdy idiot. I like going to the cinema, playing board games and walking my greyhound, ZZ.
I first heard about altruistic kidney donation through a podcast called Dungeons and Daddies, a Dungeons & Dragons podcast. The host donated a kidney to a stranger and it rocked my world. I have thought about how I would be brave and donate my kidney to a friend or family member if they were ever in need, but here was a chance to do something kind without having to wait for someone I know to need my support.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of donating a kidney to a stranger and in 2023, I decided to make an application. The process was explained so simply and efficiently. At no point along the journey was I made to feel nervous or confused. Friends and family asked if I was nervous but I told them that the staff at Guy’s Hospital made the process so straightforward.
Attending the hospital on the day before my surgery, I was treated like a hero, which made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but it was nice to see how much it meant to everyone there. The whole thing was a blur in hindsight – I went in on Wednesday, had my surgery on Thursday and I was home by Sunday.
Those post-surgery hospital days were rough! But seeing my slow improvement was a joy. It took me a while to feel right as rain but I was on my feet and walking my dog after two weeks. I’m sure I moaned a lot at the time but I look back and think how short that time was.
Becoming an altruistic donor is something I was so proud of and I couldn’t wait to tell everyone; not to get glory or brownie points, more because I hoped someone else would hear my story and it would stick in their head like it did for me and hopefully they would go on to possibly save a life.
I don’t think my life has changed at all aside from my mum keeps buying me comedy kidney-related t-shirts!
If you are thinking about donating, remember your life is unlikely to change but you have the power to change someone else’s. I get to continue my merry little nerdy life but the person who needs a transplant get another chance at it.
Alastair is also a Buddy in the UK Living Kidney Donation Buddy Support Service. Visit our webpage on the service if you would like to speak to her, or someone else who has experience in living kidney donation.
