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“My son is so proud of me” – Di
My family supported my decision to donate a kidney to help someone else’s child. My son’s opinion was very important to me .. read my full story
Personal Stories
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Tony Burgess
Tony Burgess talks about his decision to donate a kidney to a stranger as a Christmas gift 2012.
Helen Marston
Helen's husband was initially horrified when he heard about her plans to donate a kidney.
Di Franks
After donating a kidney, Di set up a website: www.livingkidneydonation.co.uk.
John Fletcher
"The whole thing has been life-enriching beyond anything that I could ever describe. Of all the things I have done in my life, this one has been the happiest. I cannot recommend it strongly enough."
Sanjiv Gohil
Sanjiv donated a kidney at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
Kenneth Dooley
"It's just getting the word out, and getting more people to know about it..."
Viv Calderbank
Viv is a graphic designer who lives in Cornwall. She donated a kidney in 2011.
Richard Pitman
Professional jockey, racing commentator and altruistic kidney donor.
Simon Swailes
"No regrets at all. No second thoughts. This is something that ought to be done by more people."
Joanna Kozubska
Joanna donated a kidney in 2012. "If I had three kidneys, I'd do it again," she says.
Mary Dixon
Mary Dixon first started thinking about donating a kidney 21 years ago, when she was training to be a nurse.
Julie Saunders
Julie received a card from her recipient, which she looks at nearly every day.
Liza Schuster
"I can't say I enjoyed the process, but I'm really glad I did it."
Penny Cox
Penny initially thought about donating eggs, but eventually decided to donate a kidney.
Clare Bolitho
Clare wanted to help her recipient to "restart" her life.
Matilda Hall
"It was enormous fun."
Natalia Aggiano
Natalia carries a picture of the kidney that she donated on her phone, and it's also on her Facebook page.
Barbara Ryder
Barbara Ryder donated a kidney in 2007. She was the UK's second altruistic donor.
Nicholas Crace
Nicholas, who is 83, donated a kidney in 2012. He is the UK's oldest altruistic donor.
David Hemmings
David is a retired civil servant and magistrate who lives in Devon.
Kay Mason
Kay was the UK's first altruistic kidney donor.
Maggie Harris
Maggie donated a kidney in 2007.
Philippa James
Philippa and her daughter have both donated kidneys altruistically.
Polly Woodhams
Polly is a retired nurse who worked on a kidney unit.
Luc Delauzun – Extreme sportsman
"Six months after I donated I was in the best shape of my life. People don't realise how little difference it makes to have one kidney." Luc Delauzun donated a kidney in the summer of 2011, when he was 25. Here is the speech Luc gave 3 months later. 'My name is Luc Delauzun and I’m ...
Nicholas Crace, former charity director, aged 83
“It was an easy decision for me to make.” Nicholas Crace, aged 83, a former charity director from Hampshire, gave a kidney to a stranger in spring, 2012. He was the oldest person in the UK to have done so. Nicholas Crace had good health and no dependents when his wife, Brigid, died in the ...
Paul Hinkins received a kidney in 2009
Paul Hinkins received a kidney in 2009, through the paired/pooled kidney transplant scheme, which was made possible when the law changed under the Human Tissue Act in 2006. Sometimes someone waiting for a kidney will know someone who is willing to donate one, but incompatibility in blood group or tissue type will mean that ...
Keith Parsons received a kidney in 2009
Keith Parsons, 52, from Plymouth received a kidney from an altruistic kidney donor in 2009. Here he describes what a difference it made to his life. “I’ll never forget the first time I ate liver and onions after my transplant. Nothing has ever tasted as good.” It was one of Keith’s favourite meals and ...
Chris Boustead received a kidney in 2011
Chris Boustead, aged 41, from Sussex, received a kidney from an altruistic donor in 2011, after waiting more than three years. “My transplant operation gave me back the joy of life. I had got used to life on dialysis and thought I was getting on all right. I was surrounded by people in the ...
Jim Fatah was on dialysis three times a week
Jim Fatah, aged 60, from Surrey, who received a kidney in 1999, describes what it was like waiting for a transplant. Jim Fatah had to have a kidney transplant because of a disease called Henoch-Schönlein purpura (inflammation of the blood vessels), which he developed in his late 30s. In fact, he has had two ...