Tag Archives: stories


James: the paired donation scheme is so important

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 […]



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.



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.



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.  



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: six months after donating, I was in the best shape of my life

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 […]



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Nicholas: it was an easy decision to make

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: I now enjoy a full and active life

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 […]



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Keith: the transplant turned life around for my whole family

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 […]



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Chris: the difference has been incredible

Chris received a kidney from an altruistic donor 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 same position and had become almost institutionalised. I […]



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Jim: Dialysis affects many parts of your life

Jim, from Surrey, describes what it  was like waiting for a transplant. Jim 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 transplants, because the first one failed after less than a year. […]



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Keith: the transplant turned life around for my whole family

Keith, from Plymouth, describes what it was like waiting for a kidney transplant. “I am someone who accepts whatever life brings  along. So I did get used to being on dialysis,” says Keith. “But there is no doubt that being dialysed  three times a week does interfere with your life and your family’s life.” Keith […]