Minister supports World Kidney Day.
Two musicians whose friendship led to a successful kidney
donation have been telling the Public Health Minister their story
to help raise awareness ahead of World Kidney Day on Thursday.
heard how 60-year old Lisa
Wright, from Edinburgh, who enjoys Japanese-style drumming,
donated a kidney to fellow band member Valerie Jack, 68, from
Ayrshire, and how both have recovered from surgery.
The Minister was visiting NHS Lothian's histocompatibility and
immunogenetics (H&I) laboratory at the Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh. The H&I lab tests a potential donor's and
recipient's blood group and tissue type to predict how antibodies
might react to a new kidney and the likelihood of the immune
system rejecting it.
Almost 2,000 people have helped change the lives of others by
donating a kidney since the UK's first living donor
kidney transplant in Edinburgh 65 years ago.
When kidney donation started in 1960 the first case involved
identical twins, which reduced the risk of rejection by the
recipient's immune system. Advances in medical science and a
change in the law in 2006 mean complete strangers can donate and
120 lives have been transformed in this way.
Ms Minto said:
“Donating a kidney is a truly life-changing gift and I was
inspired to hear Lisa and Val's story – I am glad they have
recovered well.
“Their success story highlights that you don't need to be related
to have a living donor transplant – and that a healthy donor can
have a completely normal life with one working kidney. A living
donor transplant can reduce the time which people living with
kidney failure spend on dialysis and dramatically improve their
quality of life.
“Many more people need transplants so, ahead of World Kidney
Day, I urge everyone to consider live kidney donations to
give another person a chance of a better life.”
Ms Wright said:
"I've known Val for about 10 years, but I wasn't aware of her
kidney disease until more recently. She found dialysis tough and
wasn't getting any transplant offers, so I felt it was the right
thing to do to help.
“The whole process was incredibly easy. The transplant team and
surgeons were amazing – they answered every question I had and
kept everything clear and straightforward. The surgery itself was
simple for me and recovery has been smooth.
“The nursing staff on the renal ward at the Royal Infirmary
Edinburgh were lovely, and I'm so grateful for the care I
received. It's been about two and a half months since the
surgery, and I honestly feel no different, except for a few
twinges from my scar.
“If a chronic disease can be treated with a transplant, I feel we
should do what we can to maximise the number of donors. I think
the key takeaway from our experience is that live, unrelated
donation is an option, and I feel perfectly fine with one kidney,
while Val now feels so much better with hers. And yes, it's her
kidney now – she can keep it!"
Ms Jack said:
"I first met Lisa through a Japanese drumming band in Glasgow,
Tsuchigumo, where we were both band members.
“My personal experience of kidney donation has been incredibly
positive. I was absolutely astonished when Lisa offered me a
kidney and I believe her to be a truly kind and thoughtful person
for it.
“The transplant process was surprisingly smooth for me. I had my
operation in the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow on the same day, and
I was out of the hospital just five days later. Thanks to Lisa, I
now feel amazing, especially without the need for dialysis three
times a week. It's given me a newfound freedom."
John Terrace, Consultant Surgeon NHS Lothian and Clinical Lead,
Living Donation, said:
"Living donor kidney transplantation is life-changing for
patients with kidney failure, offering excellent immediate and
long-term kidney function, as well as a scheduled transplant
time. It's a fulfilling and safe procedure, with around 40-50
living donor kidney transplants performed annually in Edinburgh –
nearly half of our total kidney transplants.
“I'd like the highlight that living kidney donors don't need to
be family members. Friends or even strangers who simply want to
help can donate, and advances in medical science allow us to
match donors and recipients - even if they're not a blood or
tissue match.
“I'm proud to lead the living donor kidney transplant programme
in Edinburgh and work with an incredible team. It's truly
rewarding to make a difference in people's lives."
Background
If a donor is not a suitable match for the person they wish to
donate to, it is usually possible to join the UK Living Kidney Sharing
Scheme for donor kidneys to be “exchanged” with other
pairs. If a patient enters the sharing scheme with their
friend or family member, the pair may be matched with another
pair in the scheme so that each recipient receives a kidney from
the other's friend or family member.
By donating into the Kidney Sharing Scheme, non-directed
altruistic donors can start a chain of up to three transplants in
one day.
British Science Week runs from March 7-16.
https://www.organdonationscotland.org/tell-me-about-living-donation
