"I hope my story shows just what a wonderful, life-saving gift it is to donate a kidney."
I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease about six or seven years ago. Initially there was no obvious change in the way I felt, but over time my kidney function got worse and worse until I couldn’t help but notice the difference. I became lethargic and never had energy for anything. I found myself making excuses to avoid doing anything physical, even just going for walks with friends – something I would normally love doing.
My kidneys continued to deteriorate over time, and I was added to the kidney transplant waiting list in 2021.
My wife, Carolyn, wanted to donate a kidney to me, but was not a match for me. That’s when they told us about the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme – she could donate her kidney to someone who was a better match for it, and in return I’d get a better matching kidney myself. Carolyn underwent a barrage of tests which took about 8 months before she was given the go ahead. We both thought it made total sense, so put ourselves into the scheme.
It took a few of the sharing scheme’s matching runs before a suitable match was found for us. Sadly however, on the first match my donor had to withdraw due to a new illness. It felt like a real setback after waiting for so long and having my hopes raised!
I was also on the waiting list for a deceased donor, so every time the phone rang and it was a ‘private number’ my heart would race, thinking ‘is this the call for transplant?’.
All the while my kidneys were still getting worse. At this point they were at about 12% function and still gradually but constantly reducing. I was really fearful about having to start dialysis and all the commitment and issues that it would entail.
I prepared myself for another long wait, but amazingly another matching kidney donor was identified in the very next run only a few months later! I was told that they were an excellent match for me, which was so fantastic to hear.
We went into hospital the day before my transplant was due to happen. At the very last minute, the doctors did some final checks and told me that they had identified a problem. My blood wasn’t clotting well, and it would be too risky to operate under my current state.
For us to be told to get dressed and head home was a huge blow to us all, as you can imagine. The nearest example I can think of is the sense of loss experienced when a close friend or member of the family passes away. It was that bad. In hindsight we knew it was the right decision though.
The next few days were really difficult to deal with for both of us. I think we only got through them with the love, prayers, and support of our wonderful family and church friends.
With thoughts of having to start dialysis constantly on my mind and my kidney function continuing its horrible steady decline, I received a wonderful call from the transplant coordinator to say that the other parties in the matching scheme had agreed to stay together while I my clotting issue was looked at, and a new transplant date was arranged. The rollercoaster continued!
My clotting issue was investigated and a solution was found, and before we knew it, I was admitted (again!) to the wonderful Royal Liverpool hospital a few days ahead of the proposed transplant date, so final checks could be made ahead of surgery day. All went well and Carolyn was admitted a couple of days later.
On the day of the transplant, with my kidney function now down to 8%, I felt amazingly calm. I was just hoping and praying that the operation would actually happen this time!
I was taken down to theatre about 10:30pm, then returned to my ward about 4:00am. Waking up some time later and coming around slowly, the feeling of relief when I realised the operation had actually gone ahead was just wonderful. It was something I’ll never forget!
Within 24 hours, my kidney function had increased up to 24%. The next day, it was 35%. It just kept going up and up! Today at the time of writing, my kidney function is now 84%! I feel 20 years younger. It’s meant I get my life back. I can be active again without feeling exhausted. I walk 8,000 steps each day and I find myself now arranging walks with the new energy and positivity I have. My friends often comment how great it is to have the real me back again!
I’m so, so grateful to Carolyn for her generosity in offering one of her kidneys – and of course to that wonderful other person out there who donated their kidney to me. I will be forever grateful for the sacrifice they have both made. I hope my story shows just what a wonderful, life-saving gift it is to donate a kidney. In my eyes, every single donor is an absolute hero!
"I’ve seen how donating a kidney can improve a family and give somebody back their life after years of suffering.”
Read"If I had three kidneys, I’d absolutely donate another one tomorrow, unquestionably."
Read“I’m a great believer that when you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path.”
Read"It’s now been almost 13 years since I donated, and nothing has changed in terms of my health or my lifestyle."
Read"Here was a chance to do something kind without having to wait for someone I know to need my support."
Read"Seeing how it helped my brother has made it all so, so worth it. As much as the journey was scary, it’s proven to be so rewarding."
Read“I wanted to share my kidney donation story to help build awareness of the good that we all can do to help someone worse off.”
Read“It’s amazing how a small amount of inconvenience on my part can make such a huge difference to someone else.”
Read20 years ago, David's enthusiasm for life was put to the test when he found out his kidneys were failing and he would need a transplant.
ReadAisha is determined to raise awareness of living kidney donation and encourage more people in South Asian communities to consider donating.
Read"My husband was living on dialysis, and I saw the constant reality of what that meant for him."
Read"I set myself clear goals to return to fitness and running after my kidney donation."
Read"This is me, Louise Sach, shortly after I was diagnosed with chronic renal failure."
Read"It has now been over a year since my donation. I have zero pain or discomfort, and I am entirely back to normal with nothing but a scar to remind me of my experience."
ReadRachel already knew more than she wanted to about the process of kidney donation before she gave her spare kidney to someone she didn’t know.
ReadHenry donated a kidney to his sister Helen, and has seen first-hand the difference a donation can make for someone with kidney disease.
Read“It has made absolutely no difference to my day-to-day life. My mum, however, has a life like never before.”
ReadNaomi knew she wanted to donate a kidney after learning about kidney disease and reality of life on dialysis.
ReadEmma donated her kidney to a stranger eight years ago after first seeing a story about non-directed donation on TV four years previously.
ReadJoyce thought that she was too old to donate a kidney, before learning there was no upper age limit for donating.
ReadMandy donated one of her kidneys to her younger cousin Lou, who was diagnosed with kidney problems when she was two years old.
Read"I don’t consider myself to be a hero or brave. I just did what I was brought up to do – to help others."
ReadJulie worked hard to stay fit and healthy while she was preparing to donate a kidney to her nephew.
Read"At the beginning it seemed like a difficult decision to make, but since the operation I don’t have any regrets."
ReadTessa believes that donating a kidney to a stranger is one of the best decisions she's ever made.
ReadLynn was 75 when she donated a kidney altruistically. "I knew I wanted to do it if I was capable of doing so."
Read“You don’t need to be a superhero, you don’t need to be a mega star of any sort. It’s something that normal people just like me can do."
ReadLaura knew she would donate a kidney to her sister if she needed it. When the time came, she found the process absolutely worth it.
ReadMatt's dream of joining the police was shattered by an unexpected diagnosis of kidney disease, but his mother's kidney donation allowed him to thrive and pursue new dreams.
Read"I've learnt a lot about myself and my own health – I would do it again in a heartbeat (if I had another kidney to spare!)"
Read"I believe that if you are in a position to help someone else less fortunate than yourself, then you should do so."
ReadEvery kidneyversary deserves a celebration, but in 2024 Elaine marked a particularly poignant milestone – 10 years since she donated a kidney to her eldest daughter.
Read"I feel immeasurably better in myself knowing I have been able to give my brother the gift of a healthy life."
ReadDennis is keen to show people that you can still live your life as normal and achieve great things after donating a kidney.
ReadWhen Ali heard that a former colleague was waiting for a kidney transplant, he knew within minutes that he would offer one of his.
Read"My mum needed a kidney, and I didn’t need both of mine. When I heard that, I didn't have any hesitation."
ReadKathryn faced life-changing kidney failure after being diagnosed with the rare disease, IgA vasculitis.
ReadMarianne has seen first hand the benefits that kidney donation can bring to a family, and feels blessed that she was able to donate a kidney to her brother.
ReadBen felt drained by kidney disease for over 12 years before his cousin gave him a second chance at life by donating his kidney.
ReadJulie donated to her son and knows first hand that donating an organ doesn’t just save a person. It saves a family.
ReadAnne donated into the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme so that her brother could receive a kidney transplant.
Read"Within both the Jain and Hindu faiths benevolence to others is supposed to be a key principle. What could be a greater act of benevolence than transforming someone’s life by giving them part of yourself?"
Read"If I had more Kidneys to give, I'd be donating to anyone who needed one."
ReadTrainee teacher Mark is grateful for the life-saving kidney transplant from his brother that put him back on track for life and his career.
ReadSheldon & Hayley watched their daughter Daisy-May go from a shock diagnosis of kidney failure to dialysis, then transplant, in an emotional rollercoaster lasting 16 months.
ReadMy donor gave me a life to live for. I have done things I had never considered doing whilst on dialysis.
Read"If I had another kidney to spare, I would donate in a heartbeat. It was life changing for my husband, and for me as a person."
ReadDavid is just an average Joe. A motorcycling, 54-year-old father and grandfather. And 6 years ago, he donated one of his kidneys to someone who needed it more than he did.
Read40 years ago, Kathleen donated one of her kidneys to Cheryl, who was just five years old at the time.
Read"Giving a small part of me that I didn’t need to someone else would make little difference in my life, but a huge difference in theirs – it was an easy decision for me to make."
ReadLiz's family struggled at first with her determination to donate her kidney to someone unrelated to her.
Read"I donated a kidney to my dad 10 years ago, aged 25. To me, it was a no brainer."
ReadSarah had seen the life-changing difference donating a kidney could have, and immediately knew it was something she wanted to do.
ReadI would not feel as comfortable in my own skin as I do now if I had not donated my kidney.
ReadPete’s kidney gave me my life back and gave my son Edward a mum with energy and vitality.
ReadWhether you’ve already decided to donate a kidney, or you are interested in finding out more about the process and what it involves, we’re here to answer any questions you might have.
