Sarah donated a kidney to a stranger in 2022 and found the testing process interesting and all staff involved friendly and encouraging.
Having been a blood donor for some time, Juliette decided the next step for her would be to donate a kidney to a stranger.
Rich, a GP who lives in Nottingham, donated his kidney to a stranger in 2022, after reading about ‘effective altruism’ in an economics book. He matched into a donor with three recipients.
Paediatric Emergency Doctor and mother of three, Tessa, donated her kidney to a stranger last winter. She admits that despite having sedated many patients, she was apprehensive about the operation but recovered well and ‘doesn’t feel any different living with just one kidney’.
30-year-old Hannah donated a kidney to a stranger when she was 27. I had a slightly unusual reason for donating. When I was just one years old I got E-Coli, Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) and had acute kidney failure. At the time I was lucky enough for my treatment to be part of a study […]
Ruby was born with reflux of the kidneys which over time developed into renal failure. She had her first dialysis session on her 10th birthday in 2002. I was on peritoneal dialysis for six years before I contracted a fungal infection called peritonitis which meant I had to switch to hemodialysis at the age of […]
John Burns, an adult English teacher from Bromley, donated his kidney in 2019 at Guy’s Hospital in London. Here he shares his story: “I am originally from the North East but came south, initially to university in Brighton, followed by drama school. I’m a teacher, and although this comes first and I have a role […]
Before teacher Rachel gave her spare kidney to someone she didn’t know, she already knew rather more than she wanted about the process. Her introduction came through a friend who worked on the dialysis ward in a Nottingham hospital and through whom she had learnt how unpleasant that is. But then, out of the blue, […]
Claire Ramsden from Kirkham, Lancashire gifted one of her healthy kidneys to a stranger in 2013. “As a Platelet Donor, and previous to that a Blood Donor, the idea of donating was not unusual for me, however it was fairly recently that I found out about living kidney donation through the media. Until then I […]
James Holdstock donated a kidney early in 2013 as part of a Paired Donation Scheme. Here is his story: Schmauzer and I were introduced in March – I was in Guy’s Hospital, having just donated my left kidney and Schmauzer was a gift from my wife and mother-in-law. I am part of a ‘Paired Donation […]
Tony Burgess talks about his decision to donate a kidney to a stranger as a Christmas gift 2012.
Helen’s husband was initially horrified when he heard about her plans to donate a kidney.
After donating a kidney, Di set up a website: www.livingkidneydonation.co.uk.
“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 donated a kidney at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
Viv is a graphic designer who lives in Cornwall. She donated a kidney in 2011.
“No regrets at all. No second thoughts. This is something that ought to be done by more people.”
“I can’t say I enjoyed the process, but I’m really glad I did it.”
Penny initially thought about donating eggs, but eventually decided to donate a kidney.
Clare wanted to help her recipient to “restart” her life.
“It was enormous fun.”
Barbara Ryder donated a kidney in 2007. She was the UK’s second altruistic donor.
Nicholas, who is 83, donated a kidney in 2012. He is the UK’s oldest altruistic donor.
David is a retired civil servant and magistrate who lives in Devon.
Kay was the UK’s first altruistic kidney donor.
Philippa and her daughter have both donated kidneys altruistically.
Luc donated a kidney in the summer of 2011, when he was 25. I’m what is known as an altruistic kidney donor – that’s someone who donates a kidney to save or prolong a stranger’s life. I’ve been asked to say a few words about my experience. Before I get into the joys of morphine […]
Nicholas Crace is a former charity director from Hampshire, gave a kidney to a stranger in spring, 2012. He was, at the time, the oldest person in the UK to have done so at aged 83 – although there have now been older donors. Nicholas Crace had good health and no dependents when his wife, […]
Paul Hinkins received a kidney 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 the donor’s kidney […]
Keith, from Plymouth received a kidney from an altruistic kidney donor and 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 one that he had not been allowed […]