"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!)"
I work as a Research Manager in a large London university. I have been a blood donor since I was 17 and participate in many research trials at work. I have always enjoyed helping people in this way. It felt very natural to enquire about altruistic donation. In fact, quite a few people were not very surprised when I told them I was doing it! I did consider waiting a few years, but after some consideration, I decided that right now was a good time for me – I had no dependents to look after during the recovery process and was able to work from home, instead of rushing back to the office.
From my initial enquiry, the whole process took just under nine months. I found the whole work up and tests incredibly interesting and I feel quite the nephrology expert now! Tests included blood and urine tests; an ultrasound; MRI scan; ECG test; chest x-ray; and glomerular filtration rate test. I also had a telephone consultation with a psychiatrist and an interview with a representative from the Human Tissue Authority.
During the test checking how evenly my kidneys worked, the team was unsure if I would be able to continue – the test showed that my right kidney did over 60% of the work. This is usually a reason that donation cannot go ahead. However, the team decided to perform the MRI scan, to see if this revealed any reason for my left kidney being less strong. The test showed that the kidney was fine anatomically and would be suitable for donation, though this would mean I was classified as a ‘complex donor’. Luckily however, I was matched in my first run in January, to go into the kidney sharing scheme.
It was then a wait for a suitable surgery date. I found out two weeks before it was scheduled – it then felt very real, arranging sick leave with work and letting friends and family know the date. Yet this anxiety calmed in the days before my surgery, and I felt mentally prepared and fully supported on the morning of the surgery. I was staying with family who live close to the hospital – unfortunately in a case of spectacularly bad timing, my parents were on a flight whilst I was in theatre! I imagine that is not a flight they will remember fondly…
It was my first time staying in hospital and I was looked after very well, from the staff that took an inventory of the belongings on arrival, to the anaesthetist that reassured me on having general anaesthetic for the first time. I woke up a little confused, but luckily not in a huge amount of pain. I stayed in hospital for just one night. I was informed that the kidney had started working straight away in the recipient, which was a huge relief.
I was told my kidney was highly admired when it was removed which was a lovely compliment!
The first week out of hospital was tiring, and I struggled with a lot of bloating due to the strong painkillers, but once I was on light painkillers only, I felt much better. I started back at work two weeks after the surgery, but working from home only so I could rest when needed, and on shorter hours.
I had hand-assisted laparoscopy surgery: two small incisions on my left hip and a slightly larger one in the middle of my abdomen. They have all healed well – though not having a bath for two weeks was tough! I took a daily photo to check they were healing OK, and it is fascinating to look back and see how the body heals in such a short space of time.
My friends, family and colleagues were incredibly helpful, kind and generous, and I have really appreciated how supportive people were during my recovery. People have been really interested in the process. It’s been great being able to bring more awareness about non-directed donation. My living donor coordinator passed on a message from the recipient the day after the surgery to say thank you – that was lovely to receive, and I am so pleased that everything went to plan. I have even more respect and admiration for the coordinators, nurses, doctors and surgeons who make transplants possible.
For me, the experience has been extremely positive – the donor team were incredible, always keeping me well informed and easy to contact when I had queries.
They always made sure I had even the smallest bit of information, so that I was able to make a considered and informed decision. Everyone at the hospital was excellent during my stay. I have also learnt a lot about myself and my own health as well – and would do it again in a heartbeat (if I had another kidney to spare!)
I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch with their local living donor team – you are never under any obligation to go through with the donation, but if you decide to go ahead, you won’t regret it.
"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 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.
