"I set myself clear goals to return to fitness and running after my kidney donation."
I don’t remember when I first realized altruistic donation was a possibility, but I remember deciding that it was something that I wanted to do around 2019.
I knew a lot of people around me would ask why. For me, there are a few reasons – I’ve been heavily involved in promoting organ donation for a long time. My cousin Jamie had 2 liver transplants which gave him 20 years of life, and in fact were still functioning when he passed away aged 30. I also work in transplant as a nurse.
The main reason for me though, was that I knew I was unlikely to die in a manner in which I would be an organ donor. By donating while I was alive, I could ensure that I would be able to donate at least one organ.
Testing for me was complicated, because of working in the transplant field and because I was only 27 when I first expressed interest. I initially put myself forward at the transplant centre I work at, but they have an age limit of over 30 for altruistic donors. This is something to bear in mind if you’re under 30 and considering donating. The next centre didn’t have an official age limit but unfortunately the surgeon turned me down based on my age, despite me passing the other tests to see if I could donate. With the third centre I spoke to though, Guys in London, I had an excellent experience throughout the assessment.
It took less than a year from starting testing to the donation itself, and I delayed slightly as I was running a marathon. Probably the worst part of the assessment was the psychological assessment, but only because I found it strange to talk about myself like that!
On the day of surgery, the main thing I was afraid of was the donation chain I was starting falling apart and the surgery being cancelled! I’d spent a week isolating because of the pandemic at the time and just wanted to do it! Luckily it went ahead at the first attempt.
My surgery went fine. I like to tell everyone the surgeon said I had ‘favourable anatomy’! My recovery in hospital was fine – my pain was well controlled. I was only sick once and I was up and walking around a few hours after the operation. I did have an infection a couple of weeks later and had to go back to hospital – I’d say that hospital experience was hard as I felt worse than before my operation! Otherwise, I set myself clear goals to return to fitness and running. At nearly 12 weeks I ran (walked) my first parkrun and returned to work. I got my first personal best at 6 months and ran a marathon at 9 months post-donation. Nowadays, it has no impact on my life whatsoever.
I was pleased to hear from my recipient and know they are doing well. This was an added bonus as I didn’t expect to hear anything, knowing it is anonymous. After the donation, my recipient is now living live without dialysis, which was lovely to hear as that’s of course the ultimate goal of donating.
To anyone considering organ donation, I’d say if you are determined then do it. My main tip is to bear in mind that the team’s job is to explain the risks. This can seem off putting, but don’t be afraid to chase them if you have any more questions or worries. Also, I wasted time with a centre who had no interest in using younger donors, although no rule against it, so if you are a younger donor like me then perhaps ask about their views on age before choosing a centre.
"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.
