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My new kidney; a gift to me from an altruistic donor

By Karen Kanee

started to reject the kidney. But luckily this was picked up immediately by the doctors and three days
of steroid treatment stopped the rejection process.

It is now nearly 5 months since I had the transplant and all but one of my blood results are actually
within normal range for someone who has healthy kidneys. I find that amazing. It has had such an
impact on my life. I have not had any dialysis since the night before my transplant. I have energy for
the first time since I was 24. I have no restless legs or leg cramps. My eczema has cleared up and my
skin is not dry any more. I am not as confused as I was - the ‘kidney fog’ has lifted! I have an appetite
and am enjoying food like I have not done for years. I am able to
grow my own vegetables which I have not done for years because
of the fatigue.
I have also got a new puppy Cocker Spaniel as a companion to my
6-year-old Sprocker Spaniel. I definitely would not have managed
a puppy before my transplant!
I am also now booked to go on a mini cruise with my husband. It
is 5 years since we have been away because of my ill health. As my
doctors say: “You have to really live your life now - otherwise there
is no point having a transplant”. This is exactly what I intend to do.
Of course none of this would have happened if it were not for the
special person that came forward one day earlier this year and offered one of their kidneys to me - a
complete stranger. I cannot thank them enough. I have since received a card from my altruistic donor
and I am happy to know that she too is doing fine.

After living with kidney disease all of my life and kidney failure for the last 20 years I cannot explain
what this kidney means to me. It has given me a chance at a proper life.

If you know of someone who might like to consider altruistic
donation, more by way of information and guidance may be
obtained from the ‘Give a Kidney – One’s Enough’ team.
They may be contacted at www.giveakidney.org

Organ Donation Week Monday 5th

– Sunday 11th September 2016.

The aim of this week long series of events is to raise
awareness of, and encourage people to sign up to
the National Organ Donor Register. If you would
like to organise an event in your area, information is
available directly from NHSBT. Simply call
0117 921 7268 and ask for the Marketing and
Campaigns Office who will be happy to help you.
Posters, leaflets, balloons and stickers may be
ordered directly by emailing leaflets@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Thank you for supporting this very important week
in our calendar.
NKF is holding an Open Day at NKF HQ in support
of Organ Donation week 2016.

We hope to see you there!

HELPLINE 0845 601 02 09 www.kidney.org.uk Autumn 2016 7