"Seeing how it helped my brother has made it all so, so worth it. As much as the journey was scary, it’s proven to be so rewarding."
My living kidney donation journey started 3 years ago when my twin brother was diagnosed with something called Goodpasture syndrome, where the body attacks its own lungs and kidneys. Over a short space of time, he went into kidney failure.
I told my brother I would like to donate my kidney to him, and we quickly began the tests to see if I was able to donate.
I contacted the live donor team who gave me information to read and process, and we arranged an appointment to discuss everything further. I read everything I was given and it all made sense to me, so I told them I was happy to start the process.
I had several appointments booked at Addenbrookes over the next few months, including blood tests, checking my tissue typing and kidney function, and whether I was a match for my brother. The living donor team were so supportive during all of this, so I always knew what was going on. When these were done, I got the fantastic news that I was a match and I’d be able to donate directly to him!
I was also able to speak to the surgeon and learn more about what would actually happen during the operation, including the risks and what to expect. They always wanted to make me feel like I knew what was going on and understood what was involved.
I did get frustrated about how long the process took, as I was so keen to donate to my brother as soon as possible. A few times we were given a donation date but it had to get moved back. But my brother was still doing okay, which was the main thing.
In 2024, I got a call from the living donor team asking if I would be happy to meet the surgeon again and go through the process of the operation. I also had to re-do some of the tests to make sure my health hadn’t changed over time and I was still able to donate. I felt really overwhelmed at that point, as I kept worrying that something might have happened to prevent the donation from happening. When everything was done though, everything was fine! We booked in a last round of blood tests and agreed a date for the operation to happen.
My nerves definitely started to show as we got closer to the date. My friends and family kept telling me I still didn’t have to go through it if I didn’t want to. I appreciated being told that, but I knew I wanted to give my brother my kidney and another chance at life.
Finally the time came and I went into hospital to the night before the operation. That was really helpful, both because it helped me get settled and also gave me time to finish up the paperwork that was needed before the donation could happen. I was also able to meet the surgical team who would be doing the operation, which I found really helpful.
Emotions were high on the morning of the operation. I spoke to my living donor coordinator and my anaesthetist, who explained exactly what I should expect. I also got to see my brother, which was amazing.
Next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery. I was very well looked after by two who told me my brother was still in surgery receiving my kidney. They made sure I was fine before bringing me back to my ward.
The whole team were honestly amazing and so helpful. They kept me so at ease and even laughing – due to being quite hoarse and tired, I kept snorting whenever I laughed, which I never do!
It was nice speaking to other patients on the ward while I was recovering. One had a kidney transplant two days before – it was great to see how he was recovering, and gave me reassurance about what my brother would potentially go through.
One thing I hadn’t expected was the pain I’d feel after the donation, caused by the gas they use to help get the kidney out. It was only temporary, but it was very uncomfortable. Getting reassurance from the team that the pain was normal really helped, as was laying down at a 30-degree angle.
I was up and walking the day after the operation. I couldn’t walk too far at first, but I was able to go and see my brother in a different part of the ward.
It was a shock to see him linked up to lots of machines, but also fantastic to hear that everything had gone well. His kidney function had increased to 35%, having been 15% a couple of days before.
They gave me the option of going that evening, but I ended up staying one more night because of the pains in my chest from the gas.
It was definitely a learning period for me as I realised I would be limited for a bit. I had expected to manage the walk to the car, but even that was more taxing and painful than I’d expected.
Being at home again was nice, but daunting. I had a check-in from the living donor team which was really helpful and another one scheduled for six weeks later. At the time of writing, I’m just three weeks after donating, so still very much in my recovery period. The emotions are still quite high and I certainly have up and down days, but I’m noticing a slow improvement over time.
Looking back on everything I’ve gone through, if I had the chance to do it all over again I absolutely would. Even if I had expected the pain after the operation, seeing how it helped my brother has made it all so, so worth it. As much as the journey was scary, it’s proven to be so rewarding.
"Here was a chance to do something kind without having to wait for someone I know to need my support."
Read“I wanted to share my kidney donation story to help build awareness of the good that we all can do to help someone worse off.”
Read“It’s amazing how a small amount of inconvenience on my part can make such a huge difference to someone else.”
Read20 years ago, David's enthusiasm for life was put to the test when he found out his kidneys were failing and he would need a transplant.
ReadAisha is determined to raise awareness of living kidney donation and encourage more people in South Asian communities to consider donating.
Read"My husband was living on dialysis, and I saw the constant reality of what that meant for him."
Read"I set myself clear goals to return to fitness and running after my kidney donation."
Read"This is me, Louise Sach, shortly after I was diagnosed with chronic renal failure."
Read"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.
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.
