Gareth’s Story

Kidney Disease has changed our lives, but it would have been far more difficult to get through without the support of Kidney Wales

Gareth donated a Kidney to his daughter… This is his story.

I’m Gareth. In 2019 I donated my left kidney to my daughter, Jennie.

Jennie was diagnosed with kidney failure just before her 18th birthday, and was on dialysis for two years before the transplant. Jennie was in & out of hospital with various complications during the build up to the transplant. We also had two operations cancelled due to one or both of us not being well enough. It was frustrating at the time but we had to remember that there are no second chances with organ donation!

During this time we both received help and support from Kidney Wales, Jennie especially from their Patient Information & Support Manager. I also found support and a ‘safe space’ with the ‘Living Donor support Group UK’ Facebook group.

Jennie’s education suffered & she ended up starting university three years behind her peers. It was a very difficult time for our family but with the help of the medical teams & Kidney Wales we got through it.

Over five years on we are both fit, well & loving life once more. Jennie is doing well, enjoying life & developing her career with a major civil engineering company. I’m not suffering from any medical complications, and am continuing my career with Transport For Wales. I’m also now a volunteer ambassador for Kidney Wales. This involves giving talks in person or online & generally supporting the charity wherever I can. I’m proud to be raising money & awareness of what Kidney Wales does for people in Wales affected by kidney disease. I enjoy walking so I’ve donned my boots for a few charity walks, the longest was over 70 miles from Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor) to the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

I trained up for the 2022 Cardiff 10K, this was sadly canceled, but ran 10K on the day anyway as I’d already collected sponsorship!

Kidney disease has changed our lives, but it would have been far more difficult to get through without the support of Kidney Wales.