Sarah had seen the life-changing difference donating a kidney could have, and immediately knew it was something she wanted to do.
Many years ago, I worked for Social Services and had two clients who both required organ transplants. One, an older gentleman had a kidney transplant which enabled him to continue working; the other, a young man who was waiting for a heart transplant. He died before a heart became available, leaving a wife and two young children.
Since then, I have known people who have had kidney transplants and know what a life-changing experience it is for them. I also know mothers who wanted to donate for their children and have seen their great disappointment when they were not able to. I always wondered why only family members could donate a kidney, so when I picked up a leaflet from the charity Give a Kidney about non-directed living kidney donation, I immediately knew it was what I was going to do.
Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic slowed things up a bit for my donation, but once I had my initial meeting with the transplant team, things moved very quickly to get my various tests done. One of the team at the charity was able to talk me through the various stages, which was a great help as I had not told anyone except my husband what I was doing.
I was originally going to donate into the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme to trigger a chain of transplants, but unfortunately the chain was unable to proceed. Instead, I donated directly to an anonymous individual on the transplant waiting list.
I found the whole process of going through the tests really interesting. Everyone was so friendly and encouraging, there was no pressure at any stage.
On the morning of my operation, my living donor nurse visited me on the ward and walked down to the operating room with me. She then kept visiting me each morning while I was in hospital. I felt great the day after the operation, but unfortunately was sick the following day and nauseous for a few days afterwards.
Once home my recovery was quite quick and a few months later I was back to doing everything I had done previously. The response from friends and family since the operation has been very positive. Having been told that the kidney had been successfully transplanted into the recipient, I am so pleased and feel lucky that I am well enough to have been able to donate a kidney.
Dennis 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."
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.
