David 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.
23 years ago, my sister was undergoing cancer treatment. I felt so helpless. I was told that she may have to have blood transfusions, so I started to give blood and joined the bone marrow donation list. I wanted to do something, to help those who couldn’t help themselves.
50 donations later, I read a leaflet about living kidney donation whilst waiting to give blood. That was the first time I found out that it’s possible to put your kidney out there to be donated to the person who needs it the most (non-directed altruistic donation). For me, it was a no brainer.
I got in touch with my local hospital and met with a living kidney donor coordinator. Over time I met everyone who would be involved in my donation – doctors, nurses, anaesthetists, and surgeons – and was encouraged to ask any questions I could think of.
The thing that was instilled into me most of all was that my safety is the most important thing, during the whole process itself and for the rest of my life. There are a multitude of tests, and almost all of them are there to protect the donor. The only real test that isn’t, is the one that matches you up with a recipient.
I was admitted to hospital the night before my operation. My operation was set for 8:30am, and I was allowed to eat up until midnight. My kidney was used in the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme and it started off a string of 3 donations.
When it came to the day of my operation, I wasn’t nervous or worried. I was actually relaxed. At that point I knew exactly what to expect and I was with professionals that I’d met before and that I trusted. I went into the operating theatre with my donor coordinator, popped onto the bed and had a sleep. The operation took place, then my kidney was packed in ice, put in a cooler, and transported by ambulance to its new owner. 3 hours later, I woke up in the recovery room.
My first thought when I opened my eyes was ‘that was a great sleep’! In fact, everything felt so normal that I had to check to see if the operation had really happened. I was given pain medication to use if I needed it, but I never ended up using it. I was certainly uncomfortable, but I didn’t have any real pain.
I was out of bed and walking that evening and was able to have a shower before going to bed. My coordinator and surgeon came to see me to make sure I was recovering well, and the next day a couple of nurses took me outside for a walk in the sun.
I was able to get home the day after my surgery and took things easy for the next couple of weeks. I was driving again soon after that, and back at work in 8 weeks.
I don’t know who has received George the kidney (which is what I’ve named my donated kidney), however I do know that he is happily working in his new home. That’s all I really need to know.
Before donating, I had never met anyone on the waiting list for a kidney. I had the ignorance of someone who just thought they had to go for dialysis and that was it, without appreciating what they were going through. In the months and years since my donation, I have learnt so much. For someone with kidney disease, receiving a kidney isn’t a cure – it’s a treatment that can last years or decades, but as my donor coordinator told me, ‘Most people would give almost anything for just a month without chronic kidney disease’.
The person who received George the kidney is now allowed to eat and drink what they want. They can organise their life without having to spend four hours or more every other day on dialysis. They can have their freedom back. It cost me nothing but a little discomfort for a few weeks, but it allowed someone else to carry on living. Living donation for me was a no brainer, someone out there needed something that I had but didn’t need. There’s nothing else to it.
My life hasn’t changed at all since my donation. Not one little bit. I still do everything that I used to – I’m still biking, I’m still doing the same job, my health is just the same. Nothing has changed other than I have a couple of little scars and an appointment every year to check my health. This was never about me! it was always about the recipient, whoever and wherever they may be. It was always about giving something to someone who needed it a break.
I am certainly proud of myself for what I’ve done, but I’m nothing special. I’m not amazing or a hero. I’ve heard people say this about living donors a lot, but I’ve never known a donor who thinks they are. We just did something that needed doing.
If I had the chance to be able to do it again, would I? I would do it without a second thought. My only disappointment is that I can only donate once.
If anyone was thinking of becoming a live donor, my advice would be, do it! You’ll carry a warm feeling around with you for the rest of your life, something you can be proud of doing. There’s lots of support out there for potential living donors or people who want to learn more about what’s involved.
Living donation isn’t for everyone, but it’s something that more people should know is an option. Your one action can improve the lives of someone struggling. Let your legacy be life.
"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."
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.
