Azeem Ahmad, 35, from Newcastle, became a living kidney donor in 2019 for someone he didn’t know.
Since the outbreak of Covid, kidney transplants and altruistic donations have declined significantly.
NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people to consider whether they might be willing to be a donor and to share their decision with family and friends.
Azeem says it was an easy but carefully considered decision for him.
A healthy person can lead a normal life with only one functioning kidney.
Azeem doesn’t know who received his kidney – but he does know that it helped improve her life.
More than 4,600 people, including nearly 100 children, are waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK.
The pandemic means about 1,100 fewer patients received a kidney transplant in 2020-21 than the year before.
Most organ donations occur after death, but people can donate some during their lifetime—most commonly a kidney.
Alisha Gokani, 23, from Kent, has been waiting for a kidney transplant for years.
A rare condition led to her own failing before she even reached her teens.
When she was 19, her mother, who was herself seriously ill, donated one of her kidneys – but Alisha’s body rejected it.
Since then, Alisha has been on dialysis.
And as a student it was difficult.
“I had to completely rearrange my life and initially took a break from university,” says Alisha, “but luckily I was able to return.
“Every day is a struggle as I face the utter exhaustion of being treated four times a week alongside full-time training.
“I was told that a living donor of the same ethnicity as myself would be the best possible match.
“Because I’ve had a transplant before, my body has made a lot of antibodies, which brings additional challenges that could make me wait a very long time.
“If a living donor has come forward, my antibodies can be removed just prior to surgery to match those of the donor.
“Everything could be planned and controlled for the best possible result.
“Living donations are a big request and not something to be taken lightly.
“But I kindly ask people to read more about organ donation, talk to their families and discuss their decision.”
Azeem was motivated to act on it Reading a tweet from former Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall on behalf of the family of a young girl in need of a kidney.
“I thought I should see if I could be a match so I contacted the local hospital,” he told BBC News.
The doctors gave him a lot of information about the procedure.
“The more I knew, the more I decided it was the right thing for me,” says Azeem.
“To help someone and potentially save their life for a few days of discomfort seemed totally worth it.
“I was already a blood and stem cell donor, so it felt right — I wanted to help.”
And when tests revealed he would not be a match for the young girl, Azeem decided to proceed with the donation if another patient who was a match was found.
Azeem admits he “bricked up” the day of the surgery.
“I knew I could change my mind,” he says, “but I’m so glad I went through with the donation.
“I don’t think it’s for everyone – but it was definitely right for me.
“And my family and friends have really supported my decision once they understood how and why I reached it.”
It has taken weeks to recover from keyhole surgery – but Azeem is back to full health.
And his kidney function, which the doctors regularly check, is “really good”.
“I named my remaining kidney Kevin because he’s Home Alone,” jokes Azeem, referring to Macaulay Culkin’s character in the 1990 comedy.
“He’s doing great – he’s grown in size and function.”
Azeem received a card and a message from the person who was given his kidney, which he says was extremely moving.
“It hit me really hard,” he says.
“It meant so much to me.
“Most people are willing to give something for the benefit of others.
“The pandemic has also shown us that.”
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