My mum, Patricia, has polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that ends in kidney failure. We always knew she would eventually need a transplant and I was the only one in the family who was able to donate. My two sisters also have the disease and my dad has been living with cancer and receiving chemotherapy, on and off, for over 20 years.
Mum didn’t want to take a kidney from me, even though she was slowly dying – she didn’t want to put her child through surgery. We were both scared it wouldn’t work and what impact that could have on us emotionally.
But when her health deteriorated so much that there was a risk she would be too sick to receive a kidney if she waited any longer, we decided to go ahead. I donated my kidney in February this year.
I was asked what I wanted to do if the surgeons found they couldn’t give my kidney to my mum after all. The options were to either destroy it, pop it back inside me or donate it to someone else who needed it desperately. The choice was easy. Even though my sisters have PKD and will one day need a kidney, they didn’t need it yet – and someone else did. I suddenly realised the significance of what I had to give and the difference it would make.
The transplant changed our lives – we don’t have that constant worry any more. We spent two years visiting the renal ward in hospital and met other patients, their families and friends. I spent time in recovery with some patients who had received an organ from a stranger. The joy and relief in these patients and their families is indescribable. To be able to give new life to someone makes organ donation something very special.
I’m a human resources consultant, and have been working with the League Against Cruel Sports, where chief executive Eduardo Goncalves and his team supported me through my recovery after the operation. I received many personal messages, cards and flowers from my colleagues.
When Eduardo, who has himself donated a kidney to one of his sons, asked me to work with him on building awareness of organ donation, I was delighted, as I knew that the staff would be very engaged. They all have a passion for animal welfare, but also really care about people.
We wanted to encourage staff to consider joining the donor register and we did so by sharing our experiences of kidney donation. After telling our stories, and how we felt as a result, 98% of all staff at the league joined the donor register online.
I made a difference to my mum’s life, and to mine, when I donated my kidney. I made a difference by being involved in the awareness project – and thanks to the project, 40 people at the league will now make a difference to other people’s lives by being on the register.
Organ Donation Week runs until 11 September.
The day I made a difference is the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network’s series that showcases the work of people involved with charities. If you have a story you want to share email voluntarysectornetwork@theguardian.com with a short summary of your experience.
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