Forty years later, a brother's gift of life

Forty years later, a brother's gift of lifeLast updated at 14:36, Monday, 23 August 2010

A GRANDFATHER says the kidney he was given by his brother is still going strong, more than 40 years after undergoing a transplant.

Harry Turner, 61, of Devonshire Road, Millom, started suffering from problems with his kidneys when he was just a teenager.

When doctors told Mr Turner he needed the transplant when he was 21 years old, his three brothers went for tests to see if they could donate an organ to their sick brother.

Harry’s older brother Victor proved the best match and the pair underwent the transplant operation at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in 1969.

Sadly, Victor passed away from a heart attack aged 39, but the gift of life he gave his brother lives on.

Mr Turner said: “They did warn me after the operation my body could reject it, but the kidney is still going strong. It has lasted the test of time.

“I’ve been on medication all my life since the operation, and there have been a few rejection periods, but I have got over them.

“As soon as I had the operation, it felt miles better. I was up and walking about in the hospital ward before my brother was. It was marvellous at the time.

“My brother was three years older and was really pleased he was able to do that for me.”

The father-of-one, who has lived in Millom almost all of his life, said having the transplant has enabled him to live a full life and hold down a full-time job in construction until the age of 58.

Mr Turner, who has been married to Maria for 35 years and has two grandchildren, still receives regular check-ups at Royal Preston Hospital. Despite suffering a bout of pneumonia – which was unrelated to his previous kidney problems – earlier this year, he remains healthy and happy.

Mr Turner said: “It was life-changing for me. I’d have had a very different life. I would have had to have dialysis every day.”

First published at 13:06, Monday, 23 August 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

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