An important post next, which we absolutely need you to click “Share”. A local man is hoping this post can be shared far and wide in the hope it will save a life.
Blantyre man, Graeme Smith told us, “My name is Graeme, I’m 40 and I live in Blantyre with my wife and young sons. Unfortunately, I have kidney failure . Over time, my health has gotten worse causing my kidneys not to work well enough to keep me alive. This is what I am facing now, and my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. However, finding a kidney for a transplant is not easy. Time is not on my side. Some people wait for years. Many die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor. However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor.
As you can imagine, Asking anyone to consider donating a kidney to me is difficult, but it greatly improves my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.
You might not know a lot about living donation – I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably, some people are scared about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them. Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:
You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally a few weeks.
You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.
If being a living donor to me is something you’d like to consider, here are the details of my care team.
Lynn McAteer / Charrie Bradley
Transplant Coordinator
Renal Unit
Monklands Hospital
Monkscourt Avenue
Airdrie
ML6 OJS
01236 713180
donatelanarkshire@lanarkshire.Scot.nhs.uk
The hospital would have to be contacted directly by any potential donors as I’m unable to pass on anyone else’s information to them. I’ve also linked some info about living donation for you.
Thanks reading my story.”
You can read more about Organ Donation here https://www.organdonation.scot/living-donation
Please click SHARE. It only takes a second.
