Carl donated his kidney to a stranger
I was at a time in my life when I could help other people.Carl
Carl, 59, a postman from Oxford, donated his kidney in 2016. He had decided to become a donor after seeing a friend’s life saved by a transplant following years of gruelling treatment and poor health.
“It completely transformed her life and that of her young family, and I thought, ‘I can do it for someone, why shouldn’t I do it?
“I live by on my own and my two children are grown up – I don’t have the commitments I did years ago. I could cross the road and get knocked down by a bus. So I felt I was at a time in my life when I could look to help other people.”
Donating my kidney was a life affirming experience. If I had a third kidney I would happily do it again.Carl
“I was proud to get the call and it was emotional because I thought ‘the recipient will be getting their call at the same point.”
After surgery, he was gently jogging in three weeks, back in work on light duties after four weeks and pretty well recovered after six weeks.
He had a letter from the recipient expressing their thanks.
Carl said: “It was a life affirming experience. If I had a third kidney I would happily do it again.”