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’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, donating a kidney to a stranger has been the happiest. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.”
Sanjiv donated a kidney at the Royal Free Hospital in London and says once the idea entered his head, he was always going to do it!
Viv is a graphic designer who lives in Cornwall. She donated a kidney in 2011.
Professional jockey, racing commentator and altruistic kidney donor.
Simon, who is a minister of a church, says donating a kidney to a stranger is something that anyone of faith or no faith should consider doing.
Joanna donated a kidney in 2012. “If I had three kidneys, I’d do it again,” she says.
Mary Dixon first started thinking about donating a kidney 21 years ago, when she was training to be a nurse.
Julie received a card from her recipient, which she looks at nearly every day.
Liza says donating a kidney didn’t necessarily make a difference to her life but it has made a huge difference to somebody else.
Penny initially thought about donating eggs, but eventually decided to donate a kidney.
Clare donated her kidney to a stranger with the main aim being to help them recipient to “restart” their life.
When self-proclaimed ‘do-er’ Matilda heard a radio item about living kidney donation she said, “that’s something I can do” and a little time after she had given one of her kidneys to a stranger! Matilda sums up her experience by saying “it was enormous fun.”
Natalia carries a picture of the kidney that she donated on her phone, and it’s also on her Facebook page.
Barbara Ryder donated a kidney in 2007. She was the second person to donate anonymously to a stranger on the transplant waiting list since the law was changed to allow this in 2006.
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. He says donating a kidney to a stranger was as much of a reward to him than it was for the recipient.
Until 2006, all living kidney donors were either relatives or friends of people who received a kidney transplant. In 2006, guidance under the new Human Tissue Act stated that altruistic kidney donation was permitted. Non-directed donation, sometimes also known as altruistic donation, is the term that describes a donation that is given without knowledge of […]
Maggie donated a kidney in 2007.
Philippa and her daughter have both donated kidneys altruistically.
Polly is a retired nurse who worked on a kidney unit.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]