transplant week 2011

Ali Hamilton

Meet Ali, who was lucky enough to have a friend donate a kidney to her

I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) at 19 years old after a series of urinary infections. I led a largely normal life for a few years, apart from increasing tiredness and tablets to keep my blood pressure down. I was very open with my friends and family about my condition and a number of people casually mentioned "well, you can have one of mine if you need it."

In 2007 I contracted a serious kidney infection and was hospitalised. My consultant told me that I should consider looking for a Living Donor, as it was likely I'd need a transplant or dialysis within the next year or two. This came as quite a shock as I'd been led to believe I could be okay well into middle age, but for me the progression was quite fast.

I was fortunate to have a very generous and well informed friend who approached my Living Donor coordinator to start the process. I’ve known her for 10 years and luckily we were a pretty good match, so we were able to go through with the operation pre-emptively in 2008.

I feel so much better since I had the transplant. The initial post-transplant period is very scary and difficult while you adjust to the drug regime, but I can now make plans for my future, which I couldn't even think about before.

I would say that if you'd be prepared to accept an organ for yourself if you needed it, or for your relative, then you should sign up immediately, in the hope and expectation that another person will be willing and able to do that for you if it is needed. To give another person the gift of life is an amazing thing and any person who is helped in this way truly appreciates that gift.

What are you waiting for – sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register today.