Tracey’s Story

Back in August 2017, my sister and I found out that my mum’s kidneys had deteriorated to the point where, if it dropped any more, she would need a kidney transplant. At this point I didn’t know that you were able to donate a kidney while you were still alive, but the first thing I asked my mum was whether this was an option. I wanted to do anything I could for her, so I wanted it ruled out at the very least. When we found out living kidney donation was an option, we immediately began testing to see if we could donate. 

My mum had been born with only one working kidney – something that she didn’t actually find out until she was in her 30s. She knew that a transplant would be required at some point in her life after that, but never told my sister and I until it was needed. 

In December 2017, we both started the testing process to donate to my mum. After the first appointment they picked me to go forward for more testing, as it looked like my kidneys would be the better option for mum. The tests were extensive! There were many blood tests, ECGs, X-rays, MRI, Ultrasound, as well has phycological tests… if nothing else I would find out if I was healthy! It sounds like a lot, but they were all pretty straight forward and I had the support of the living donor team throughout. They were always there at the testing and available whenever I needed them over email or phone to answer all my questions. 

During testing I found out I was not a match to my mum, which initially was devastating. But then we were told about the sharing scheme. I found this absolutely amazing. My kidney would go to someone else who was a better match for my kidney, and their donor’s kidney would go to my mum. I saw this as a win-win. Everyone involved got the thing they needed most, and it would be even better than if their direct donor gave their own unmatching kidney to them. 

Throughout the process, my mum was very unsure she wanted my or my sister to actually donate. The day came where my mum had to make a decision about whether we’d enter the sharing scheme. We had a very honest chat, and she was still unsure about whether she wanted one of her daughters to donate to her. After a long conversation, she agreed. We actually got matched to another couple in the scheme very quickly, which is not the case for everyone. 

Six years on, it has made absolutely no difference to my day-to-day life, apart from I have an amazing scar to remind me what I did. I still get an annual check up to ensure my kidney is functioning ok. My mum, however, has a life like never before. She has more energy to do things. She can go out with friends, go on holiday. Every now and then she will send me pictures of her out and about saying “thanks”. 

To anyone considering the process, whatever the reason, my advice would be to go for it. It is hard to describe the difference it can make to someone’s life until you see it. It really is a chance to give someone their life back. That is an amazing feeling, to have been able to do that for someone else in my lifetime. My biggest tips would be ask questions wherever you can. No questions is a daft one! And make sure you and the donor have a good support network, you will need it.