Our story began unexpectedly when my daughter was just four years old. An E. coli infection led to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a condition that caused sudden and severe damage to her kidneys. I still remember the urgency of those early days—being transferred from our local Yeovil Hospital to the specialists at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. It was a terrifying time for our family, but the specialist care she received was a lifeline. Over five weeks, the team stabilized her, eventually returning her kidney function to 30%.
For the next 24 years, we lived with a “wait and see” reality. Doctors were clear: her kidney function would likely decline gradually. We hoped she could sustain that 30% for as long as possible, and she showed incredible resilience throughout her youth and early twenties. However, during a routine check-up when she was 28, we reached the crossroads we had always anticipated. Her function had reached a critical low; she either needed a transplant or would have to begin dialysis soon to survive.
There was no hesitation to become living donors if possible. Both my wife and I stepped forward to be tested. The process is thorough—involving scans, fitness evaluations, and extensive blood work—to ensure that the donor is healthy enough for the procedure. Ultimately, the tests showed that my kidney was the best match and the transplant was scheduled for February 2019.
Walking into the operating theatre was a surreal experience. Normally, when you are headed for surgery, you are unwell and in need of fixing. In this case, I was fit and healthy, walking in to the theatre voluntarily to help someone else. I remember chatting with the nurses and hearing the radio playing. It is a unique perspective that only a living donor truly understands.
I woke in the recovery room a few hours later and saw my daughter outside the window on her trolley, about to go in for her operation. I remember waving, but I also apparently tried to text her on the painkiller button at my side!
Despite being rather sore I walked round to my daughter’s bedside in the ward next door the very next morning. She looked totally different and well, despite her ordeal.
I had one larger scar and four small ones and was only in hospital for three days. The scars all disappeared completely very quickly. In fact I can still see the scar from my appendix operation when I was 9 (over 50 years ago!) which just shows how procedures have changed over the years.
I was advised not to drive for 6 weeks, but I did some work from home during that time.
The donation hasn’t changed my quality of life at all and the function in my remaining kidney has also dramatically improved to over 60% from the day after the operation. I don’t feel any different now than I did before the surgery; I live my life exactly as I did before. Looking back, the experience involved just a short period of discomfort in exchange for a wonderful, lasting outcome for my daughter.
The transformation in our daughter has been remarkable. Today, her kidney function has increased dramatically to over 60%. While she takes daily medications to maintain her health, the trade-off is incomparable to the alternative. It has been a monumental success for our family.
Living donation is a profound way to “make your mark.” The medical teams provide world-class support, ensuring you are safe and informed every step of the way. If you are considering it, know that you aren’t just giving an organ—you are giving someone their life back. It is a decision I would make again in a heartbeat.
Rob 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 him, or someone else who has experience in living kidney donation.
