Celebrating Adam, a living donor

In May 2016 I underwent surgery to have one of my kidneys removed and donated to someone who had a much greater need for it. This was an individual on the waiting list who I did not know – all I did know was that they needed it so much more than I did.

I have had no previous experience of kidney failure or organ donation myself, or within my family, but it is something I am truly passionate about. I couldn’t think of one reason to not do this and give someone another shot at life so after putting a lot of thought into it, it was a no-brainer for me.

My main inspiration came from a TV programme I watched years earlier, about the lives of children on the waiting list. It following their whole journey from their treatments, their long wait for a suitable organ, and their recovery afterward. I never realised how much of their young life they would spend waiting for that call telling them they may have a suitable donor for them…

Organ donation is a simple, free and effective way you can make a difference and change someone’s life for the better – even giving them the gift of life.

My family and friends were so supportive of me which helped with the decision. After some months of consultations with my doctors and nurses, a match was found and I was good to go. I genuinely wasn’t nervous about the operation one bit, my only worry was about how well the recipient would take to their new kidney. Thankfully everything went perfectly and their body responded very well to the transplant.

I wanted to be able to give someone a second chance at life. By sharing my words and experience hopefully many more people will discuss organ donation with their family and sign up as an organ donor.

– Adam