"It felt just like donating blood, but with more checks. If I could help someone, then I wanted to do it."
It’s hard for me to believe it’s been over 10 years at the time of writing since my donation!
A good friend of mine lived with kidney disease. We used to go out for catch ups and she would explain what the illness involved. I saw the trauma that the horrible disease inflicted on her. Sadly she passed away from her condition. Only then did I think to myself – why couldn’t I offer my kidney to help someone else needing one? I have always donated blood and I’ve been on the bone marrow list for a while, but had never really considered kidney donation before then. Upon thinking about it, it was just one more form of donation. What was stopping me?
I went on Google and started searching for information. My nearest transplant unit was in Coventry, so I rang them up and expressed my interest.
I spoke to a wonderful transplant coordinator called Jane, who was such a lovely person and really put me at ease right from the start. She talked me through the process and what was involved from beginning to end. She made it clear it wasn’t a short process and involved lots of checks to make sure I was healthy and able to donate. It felt just like donating blood, but with more checks. That really solidified it for me – if I could help someone, then I wanted to do it.
I didn’t do too much research outside of the meetings I was offered. When they told me what the next test was then I’d look it up, but I didn’t do much more than that. Jane was right, there were quite a lot! But everything went on well and there were never any problems.
I did discuss my decision with my husband. He’s a very laid-back person and knows what I’m like! But we did have a big discussion about it all. He asked the same questions that the professionals had already spoken to me about. What would happen if something went wrong? What if our children needed a kidney in the future? My thought to that question was – I’m doing it for somebody in need right now. If we were in that position in the future, then hopefully my act would inspire someone else to give back to our family just as I had given to someone else.
Also, we had no history of kidney disease in the family. We were all healthy, while others out there aren’t. You have to live life for today, and this seemed the best use of my good fortune for everybody. Besides, there was a chance my kidney wouldn’t even be a match for our kids! Why give up my chance for giving someone a better life for that small possibility? In the end, he understood that this was something I had to do for myself.
Once all the tests were complete and I was given the go-ahead that I was able to donate, it was just a matter of sitting and waiting for them to find someone in need of a kidney who was a match for mine. I didn’t find that too hard – I live a busy life. Before I knew it, a month had passed and Jane called me to say they found someone who needed my kidney.
That phone call felt really exciting! However, almost as soon as I put the phone down, I realised I actually had to face the reality of getting ready.
I work as a midwife, and had already told my team that I was going through the process. They were always supportive, letting me take the time I needed for appointments and understood when I told them about the recovery time I’d need after the operation.
Time flew by really quickly, and before I knew it the operation day had arrived. It happened in early December (someone out there got a great Christmas gift!).
I was given my own private room, which I didn’t expect and was quite nice. Next thing I knew, I was waking up after the operation. Surprisingly I felt alright! I had some morphine to help with the pain, though my body didn’t like it (it made me feel quite out of myself) so I asked for it to be stopped.
Getting out of bed and going to the bathroom for the first time was a slightly scary moment, I had no idea how my body would find it, but actually it all went fine.
I remember lying in the hospital bed and wondering whether or not to lift my top and look at the scar on my stomach. I thought I may as well take a look, and was quite surprised by how little the scar was. I had three tiny scars on my tummy and one slightly bigger one beneath them, but they felt absolutely fine. Nowadays you can hardly even see them.
I was allowed out a few days after the operation. I was surprised by how tired I felt, and really made sure I gave my body the time it needed to rest up. Being a mum of four kids and working full time, you get used to being busy, so I struggled with sitting still for so long. But my husband and children were fantastic and helped me to relax. I also made sure to keep in touch with work. They were so accommodating, and it felt good to not be a stranger.
Since going back to work, I’ve had absolutely no issues whatsoever. It’s almost bizarre how little effect it’s had on me! It’s amazing. I still get called back for regular check-ups with the hospital every year to make sure everything’s fine, and it always has been.
If someone tells me they’re considering donating, I’m always happy to share my experiences and how it hasn’t left me with any side effects. If it’s in your heart and mind to do it, then at least it’s worth looking into whether you’re able to donate. There’s certainly a lot to consider and the testing process takes time, but it’s all explained to you and there are lots of resources nowadays like the Donate a Kidney website to help throughout.
When his younger brother, George, was suddenly diagnosed with kidney disease, Ed was determined to support him in any way he could.
Read"Someone out there in need of a kidney has been set free and I don’t even feel any different to how I was before."
ReadA kidney donation from John's daughter meant that he is now able to enjoy time with his great granddaughter.
Read"I hope my story shows just what a wonderful, life-saving gift it is to donate a kidney."
Read"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.
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.
