“My mum was diagnosed with gradual kidney failure a few years ago now, and at the beginning of 2007 she began her dialysis treatment and was placed onto the Kidney Donor Waiting List. My first thought was to put myself forward to be a direct donor for her, I felt that I was lucky to be at a stage of my life, with no dependents and a company that was very supportive, where I could offer to do this. Unfortunately we quickly found out that I was not the right blood group to be able to do a direct donation, Mum is blood group O so only someone from that group too would be suitable. It was at this stage that the Live Donor Transplant Nurses at the hospital told me about the paired exchange scheme. It was something I was immediately keen to sign up for, to me it is as simple as me giving a kidney direct to my mum, well at least the end result is the same thing, and a bonus is that another person benefits too.
I had to go through a few small (and painless) tests at the hospital and I was pleased to be given the all clear and have us entered onto the register. The staff there have been really kind throughout the whole time I have been in contact and are always there to answer any questions I have, they give you all the information you need and ensure that you are making the decision independently and understand the whole process.
So now we are on the list, it’s just a case of sitting back and waiting really, the cross checks are run nationally every 3 months, and we hope that we will be one of the lucky pair that finds a match soon. For now though I’m just pleased that mum is on both registers, the solo one and the paired one, and this really does give her the best opportunity to get a donor as soon as possible. Me personally well I’m just happy to have the chance to do my bit to support her at this time. I’d encourage anyone who is interested to contact their hospital, the more people on the register the better everyone’s chance is.”
Helen Godley