6 people die every week waiting for a kidney transplant.

In this episode, I talk to Chris, who donated his kidney to his friend Steph at the height of COVID.

This is a story of friendship, of how Chris helped his university friend, suffering from Polycystic Kidney Disease, get back to health so that she could continue to be a Mum to her daughter for a long time to come.

Chris tells us all about his kidney donation journey, the matching process and the pressures of having life changing surgery during COVID.

We discuss the different anxieties he experienced, from the fear of not being a match and being unable to save his friend, to the worry of them being in different hospitals and something happening to his kidney on the way to Steph. But we also talk about the positives of the journey, of sharing a unique experience with his friend, the benefits of having a cause and the surprising health benefits that come from kidney donation.

Chris also explains his need to continue raising awareness and the life changing advice given to him by a nurse about the power of language.

In this interview we cover:

• Kidney donation, the matching process and the matching scheme.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• The emotional impact of donating a kidney
• Kidney transplant surgery and the different methods used
• Immunosuppressants
• How people know they can donate blood but they don't know they can donate a kidney
• The positives of having a cause
• The power of language
• What to do if you're interested in donating a kidney

Thanks to Chris for telling his story and Steph for allowing it to be told.

Thanks to Eoin Buckley for his help in organising.

Follow Chris here: @chrisluck89

If you are interested in kidney donation, please visit -

Donate A Kidney: https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/

Give A Kidney: https://www.giveakidney.org/

Location - Mill Street Studios:https://www.1millstreet.com/

Thanks to Anna Burrows and Bryher Williams for their input.

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If you know of any amazing everyday heroes who you think should appear on this podcast please email myneighbourthehero@gmail.com.

CONTENT WARNING: Please note that this podcast features themes of death.

#AreYourKidneysOK #WorldKidneyDay #KidneyHealth #OrganDonation, #KidneyDonor, #KidneyTransplant, #KidneyWarrior, #ShareYourSpare

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