Marianne 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.
Around eight years ago, my brother Michael started feeling unwell. He didn’t know what exactly was wrong, but knew that it was something more than a regular illness. We went to hospital, and after some tests it came to light that his kidney function was only a third of what it should be. There was no history of kidney issues in my family, and Michael was a relatively healthy person with no other major medical issues, so the diagnosis really came out of the blue for us.
He was monitored by the hospital for several years after that. For a while his kidneys teetered on 15% of their usual function, but as he dropped the symptoms came. He was always exhausted. He got bumps on his legs and started to really suffer from itchy skin. When he lifted his arm, his armpits were red raw. He told us that it was the worst when he was laying there at night, to the point where he couldn’t help but scratch.
They told us that if (or when) Michael’s kidney function went down to 10%, then he would need to look for a kidney donation. He was in a very lucky position where as soon as we were told that, so many friends and family came forward offering to put themselves forward to see if they were a match and could donate to him. In the end, myself and his best friend Greg decided we would be the first to see if we were a match.
The first Zoom call we had with the living donor coordinator was really eye-opening. They talked us through what’s actually involved in donating, how it would affect us, and also told us about the ‘UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme’, which would mean that we could donate a kidney to someone else on the waiting list in order for Michael to receive his own kidney from someone else who was a better match for him.
Wow!
It took a few seconds for me to understand the idea – it was a bit confusing at first and I didn’t immediately know if I would be comfortable donating to someone I didn’t know. But then I realised the benefits of it. It’d be exactly the same for us. I’d still donate a kidney and Michael would receive one, but it meant even more people would benefit. Plus, Michael would receive an even better kidney match, and whoever received mine would also get a better matching kidney!
After that, the tests started to see if either of us were a match for Michael. Going through all the tests was such a bonding experience for the whole family. I was already very close with my brother, but it brought us even closer together. It enriched our lives in a way I didn’t know it would.
The team at Hammersmith hospital were absolutely incredible throughout the whole process. They were always there to answer any questions we had, no matter what we wanted to ask, and point us in the right direction for any support we needed. They made it clear that, as a donor, I was always the one in control. I could change my mind at any point in the process, no matter how far along we were. There was no question that I was going through with it, but I always appreciated that.
After the first round of tests, we were told that I was the best match for my brother. So, I moved forward with the tests to make sure I was healthy enough to donate. It was made clear from the very beginning that my health came first, and that I could only donate if I was healthy enough to do so and wasn’t susceptible to any problems in the future.
There were certainly some bumps in the road along the way. Whenever they noticed something and asked for more tests to be done, I felt like my heart skipped a beat. At one point I was told that they had found protein in my urine, which they needed to look into further to make sure my kidneys were healthy for donating to Michael. All I wanted to do was help my brother. I knew there were many more people ready to step up if I couldn’t, but it was something I really wanted to do, so those checks were quite hard on me.
One day in Summer, the consultant phoned me and said that they were happy with all my test results, and asked me to pick a date for our transplant! As soon as I put the phone down, I called Michael.
“What are you doing on this day?” I asked him.
“I don’t know, I’ll have to check,” he answered. “Why?”
“Because I’m donating a kidney to you that day!”
We went into hospital together on the day of our operation, and were put in the same ward as each other, side by side, to help with our recovery.
Everything happened so smoothly, and I couldn’t say enough good things about everyone at the hospital. Michael’s improvement was instant. We literally saw his health improve in front of our eyes.
I remember waking up after the operation and seeing my brother in the bed next to me. I knew he had been anxious to make sure I was okay, so I immediately jumped to my feet (not without some difficulty, as I’d just had major surgery!) to show him everything was fine!
I was out of hospital after a couple of days, then a couple of days after that Michael was out of hospital too.
When you mention living kidney donation, it’s amazing when you mention living kidney donation how many people have their own experiences and stories to tell. Donating has really opened up a community to me.
The kidney donation hasn’t impacted my life in any shape or form. It was a major surgery so I definitely did feel tired for several weeks after, but it went away. I have a small scar, but it’s so much smaller than I expected. You can barely see it!
The experience has really opened my eyes, and I feel so blessed that I was able to offer Michael one of my kidneys. I had no idea just how many people are out there suffering, waiting for a kidney. I donated myself, but even I didn’t know anything about it until I’d already made up my mind that I was going to do it. I saw firsthand the benefits that kidney donation can give a family. If I’d only known earlier in my life then I’d have done it years before. If I had more kidneys to give, I’d do it again tomorrow!
"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.
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.
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.
