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Susan Kinch

Susan Kinch was only 10 years old when her mother died from kidney failure.

At 20, she also developed the same life-threatening kidney disease.

But her life has been saved, because a stranger signed the organ donor register.

Mrs Kinch, 49, from Headington, Oxford, underwent a life-saving kidney transplant at the Churchill Hospital on February 22, 2007.

The divorced mum-of-three said: "As they wheeled me into the operating theatre, the doctors asked if I was nervous, but I was not. It sounds strange, but I really felt my mum was watching over me, willing me to get better.

"She was only 33 when she died. I only wish that the treatment I received had been available to her then."

Mrs Kinch learned she had inherited her mother's kidney problems shortly after becoming a mother herself.

She said: "I was 20 and had just had my daughter Louisa. I was very frightened because even though I was only little when I lost my mum, I knew how much she and we, her five children, had suffered.

"The doctors told me early on that my kidneys would eventually fail, like my mum's had.

"They talked about a transplant, but the idea really frightened me.

"In 2002 when I suffered renal failure, I had to go on dialysis and that meant three four-hour sessions at the Churchill each week.

"It was very hard - dialysis takes its toll on your body and you can't drink, eat or really live normally."

During the following years, Mrs Kinch suffered a series of infections.

She said: "Although the doctors talked about a transplant I really fobbed them off. Then after three years of dialysis, they asked me again to go on the waiting list.

"I thought about how my mum missed out on many years of motherhood and being a grandmother. And how we had lost her. I didn't want my three children to go through even more pain, so I agreed."

Less than two years later, Mrs Kinch received the phone call that would change her life.

She said: "It was the transplant team telling me a kidney had been found. I was told the kidney came from a lady who was around the same age as me. I believe she died of a stroke.

"I remember wondering whether she had children and how they were feeling at losing their mum. But I also felt as if my mum was with me."

In the first few weeks after her transplant, Mrs Kinch's kidney was slow to start working and she received dialysis.

But as it began to function, her health was transformed.

A year after surgery Mrs Kinch has check-ups, but is living the normal life she has dreamed of for almost 30 years.

She said: "I have had my children checked out for kidney problems and thankfully they are okay.

"I think about the lady whose kidney I received a lot and I am planning to write a letter to her family.

"I wish that everyone would take a few minutes to sign the organ donor register. I am living proof that it saves lives."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Sixty-seven people are waiting for an organ transplant in the county.

But 13 people have died in the past four years while waiting.

The Oxford Mail is encouraging readers to Sign Up - Save a Life, and you can do so by visiting oxfordmail.co.uk/news/givethegiftoflife.

You can also find out more about organ donation, call 0845 6060400 or go to uktransplant.org.uk

We would also like to speak to other people with experiences of organ donation, whether they are on the waiting list, or have already received an organ transplant.

Please contact Debbie Waite on 01865 425428 or email debbie.waite@oxfordmail.co.uk

4:38pm Thursday 6th March 2008

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