I give blood so I thought... why not donate a kidney?
DONATING blood to total strangers is one thing, but imagine giving up a kidney to someone you have never met.
That is exactly what 49-year-old Chris Kendall did when he had the chance to donate a kidney while still alive.
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Kidney donor Chris Kendall
Mr Kendall heard about altruistic kidney donation – where the donor offers an organ without having a connection to the recipient – while watching the television news and it instantly seemed like the right thing to do.
"It was a complete lightbulb moment," he said.
"My wife and I watch things like Secret Millionaire and I thought if I was a millionaire I would like to do that and here was something I could do.
"It was my own little way of making a difference to somebody.
"I was already a donor and donate blood but it was a bit of a step from that. I didn't know I could do it while I was alive and I don't think many people realise."
Mr Kendall, who works for the communities and local government department in Temple Quay, got in touch with Southmead Hospital's renal unit to find out more about becoming an altruistic donor.
It took about nine months for all the physical and mental assessments to be carried out and at the end of February Mr Kendall went into hospital to have the organ removed.
He said: "One of the unexpected benefits is that I got an absolutely free health MOT. You can't donate a kidney unless you are absolutely spot on and healthy."
Mr Kendall was not concerned about giving up one of his kidneys as his father lost most of his kidneys in the 60s and remains in pretty good health.
The other consideration was his wife and four children.
He said: "All my family were supportive.
"There is no kidney disease in our family and there was not any reason why anyone should need a kidney."
Mr Kendall, of St Werburgh's went in for his kidney to be removed on February 26 and within a couple of days he was discharged from hospital and was back in work within two weeks.
He said: "I had no pain whatsoever. I was probably a little more tired than I normally am but within a couple of months I was back up to full fitness."
Mr Kendall has now met up with David Mayes, who received his kidney. Initially he received a letter from the 55-year-old of Gloucester and, after several notes, the pair met up.
Mr Mayes, who works at Staverton Airport, went on the transplant list last year and was undergoing dialysis.
His wife Di had been due to give a kidney, but Mr Kendall was found to be a perfect match and surgeons opted for the better match.
Mr Mayes said: "My wife noticed straight after the surgery that I had more colour in my face. I feel really good and it has increased my energy levels.
"I am so grateful to David."
Mr Kendall said: "When you go into the process as a donor you have to accept that you may never hear anything from the recipient. When I received the letter was the first time it became emotional to me.
"Seeing David and what a difference it made to his life was really nice."
The first altruistic kidney transplant in the UK was carried out in 2007.
There have been three in Bristol in the past three years, including Mr Kendall and former Frenchay Hospital consultant Chris Burns-Cox, as reported in the Evening Post earlier this year.
Mr Kendall felt it was a way he could do his bit.
"I haven't got the knees to be a marathon runner or the money to be altruistic in that way, but this was something I could do.
"And I believe a bit in karma. I have felt good ever since. I'm still riding high on it.
"My wife Rachael was a little unsure at first and I think I would have been. But they will not put you through the process unless your partner agrees, because they will be left with all the grief if something goes wrong. Having been through it though, I think they are proud."
10 Comments
by Sam, Wiltshire
Thursday, September 23 2010, 10:13PM
“It sounds as though Chris did this for all the right reasons. Its a HUGE thing that he has done this. Its hard enough to do this for someone you know, let alone a stranger. Well done Chris, its just a shame you are only able to give one kidney away!! We may have to go down the transplant route ourselves in the future so lets hope there's a 'Chris' out there willing to help us when we need it.”
by Peter, Bristol
Thursday, July 15 2010, 12:47PM
“I think what some people are thinking is that true altruism is not giving to get a reward. Not knowing the reicpient yet meeting and being like long lost brothers and then believing in karma and now still on a permanent high and giving out your name and photo. That is just asking for a pat on the back and seeking praise. As wonderful as your giving the kidney was and I applaud you, seeking publicity is like bragging about it. If you want to advertise the fact altruistic donations can be made then being anonymous perhaps is more appropriate
quote
One of them, a man who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ¿I wanted to alleviate someone else¿s pain and suffering. Sharing the healthy life I was blessed with with another person who¿s not that fortunate is not only a noble gesture on my part but also uplifting philosophically and spiritually. It has given me immense inner happiness.¿
unquote
that gentleman is more than happy to tell his story, but to remain anonymous. That is true altruism.”
by Chris Kendall, Bristol
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 10:38AM
“To be clear the system in the U.K is entirely anonymous.
I had no idea who might get my kidney, it is determined by the available matches.
Chris”
by Lucas, Glamorgan
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 4:43PM
“Chaya Lipschutz - what I have difficulty is when you present a list of people who require a kidney and then someone who wants to donate chooses from it. Does not matter that they are the most needy. What about the person who will die next week waiting for a kidney but your brother or someone donated to a person on a list who perhaps had a long while to live yet. Would it not be better to encourage people to go to their local Transplant Hospital and say " I would like to give my kidney to the most deserving person so they might live and not die". It does not sit well with me that people from your site can play God and choose who will live and who will die. Surely if they are truly wanting to save a life they will let the hospital decide who the next best person is?”
by Chaya Lipschutz, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Tuesday, July 13 2010, 4:37AM
“G-d bless him! Welcome to the kidney donors club!
I donated a kdiney to a stranger in September 2005. Since my kidney donation I have been wanting to do more - so I now have a project to help others how are in need of a kidney. I don't get paid for this and don't charge a fee. My brother donated a kidney as well - to someone on my list of people in need of a kidney.
I am in touch with many people who have donated a kidney - all of us are doing great, no one has regrets, and some of us wish we can do it again!
If anyone out there would like more info on kidney donation, feel free to visit my website or watch my You Tube video on kidney donation.
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
Website: www.SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com
You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZ7KModWRU”
by Jackie, Portishead
Monday, July 12 2010, 6:43PM
“I, along with the thousands of other kidney patients in the UK, thank you so much for your generosity, You have given someone back a life. Without the selflessness of people like you many of us in need of a transplant will not make it. THANK YOU.”
by Jen, Bristol
Monday, July 12 2010, 1:10PM
“Good on him for doing it. It's very generous act and I'm sure the medics involved will have explained the implications far better than the BEP has worded things. Could someone at the BEP tell me how many kidneys most people have?
"Mr Kendall was not concerned about giving up one of his kidneys as his father lost most of his kidneys in the 60s and remains in pretty good health."
How many kidneys has Mr Kendall's father lost and how many does he have remaining??”
by Pogo the Clown, .
Monday, July 12 2010, 12:40PM
“The reason I donate blood but not organs is that blood grows back. It's very generous of him but I think the BEP is being irresponsible by not pointing out how stupid it is.”
by Samantha Creed, Longwell Green
Monday, July 12 2010, 10:29AM
“Yes I do a lot of work for charity, but dont like to mention it.
I get the local rag to do that for me...”
by Julraj, Clifton, Bristol
Monday, July 12 2010, 9:34AM
“"It was a complete lightbulb moment". Muppet.
Lets hope his remaining kidney doesn't fail, otherwise he'll be on death row waiting for another...”