Naomi knew she wanted to donate a kidney after learning about kidney disease and reality of life on dialysis.
I donated a kidney in October 2021 and before that, I didn’t have much exposure to kidney disease. No one I knew had it, so it wasn’t something I’d really encountered.
One day, I came across a post on Facebook about a family struggling with the effects of kidney disease and waiting for a donation for their child. It moved me deeply and set me on a path of thinking seriously about becoming a living organ donor.
I began researching kidney donation and what it involved. Initially, I was pretty unaware of the details – like the fact that you can live with just one kidney. I wanted to educate myself as much as possible, so I dove into everything I could find about the process.
Through my research, I began to grasp the reality of living with kidney disease. The more I learned, the more compelled I felt to donate. One thing that stood out was the shortage of kidney donations from the Black community. Black patients often wait longer for a transplant because there are fewer donors who are a strong match. This highlighted the urgent need for more donors to come forward, especially from underrepresented groups, to help reduce these wait times.
What really solidified my decision was learning about life on dialysis. I had assumed that people waiting for a kidney were just managing their condition with medication, but I quickly realised how much of their lives were consumed by dialysis. It dictates what they can do, where they can go, and even how much energy they have each day. The thought that someone could regain their freedom and quality of life through a kidney donation really resonated with me. If I could change someone’s life with one surgery, why wouldn’t I do it?
As I continued my research, I learned about the extensive testing required to ensure you’re healthy enough to donate. This only encouraged me more, knowing that they take such care to ensure it’s safe for the donor. Since you can opt out at any point in the process, I figured, why not see if I was eligible? There was no reason not to at least explore the possibility.
When I told my husband I was considering donating my kidney, we had an initial conversation, and he supported the idea. But in reality he probably didn’t think much would come of it as it really was just an idea. However, we both saw the potential for good that could come from it.
I didn’t tell anyone else until after I’d completed the first round of testing and was cleared to donate. When I did, the responses were mixed. Some family members were concerned and didn’t want me to go through with it. I completely understood their worries. They wondered, what if someone in our family needed a kidney in the future? I had thought about that too, but in the end, the benefits outweighed the risks for me. No one in our family had kidney disease, and even if someone did, there was no guarantee that I’d be a match for them. We had a lot of discussions, and while it wasn’t an easy decision, I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do.
When the day of the operation finally arrived, I was excited more than anything. It felt like I had been preparing for this for so long, and I was eager to get it done.
The recovery, honestly, was tougher than I expected. Healing and the pain lasted longer than I had anticipated and I had trouble finding a comfortable position. But I kept reminding myself that my discomfort was temporary, while the person receiving my kidney was getting a new lease of life. That made everything worth it.
Now, years after the donation, I can confidently say I have no regrets. I feel the same physically as I did before the surgery, and my life hasn’t been impacted at all in that regard. But emotionally, it’s been a source of strength. Whenever I face moments of self-doubt or have a tough day at work, I can tap into the knowledge that I made a difference in someone’s life.
I don’t think the experience has radically changed my perspective on life, but it has helped me understand myself better and recognise my drive to help others. I’ve also realised how people often see living organ donors as rare or exceptional, almost like unicorns. But I wish more people would shift their perspective. So many of us would be willing to accept a kidney or a blood transfusion if we needed it, but far fewer of us are willing to donate – whether it’s blood, or especially organs, even after death.
I hope my story helps change that mindset. Organ and blood donation can truly change lives, and if more people considered it, we could significantly reduce the number of people on waiting lists, especially in communities that are underserved like the black community. We need more of us to help make a difference for each other.
Henry 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.”
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.