Man donates kidney to help stranger

Man donates kidney to help stranger

Last Updated: 28 February 2008 11:53 AM

A MAN has donated one of his kidneys to help a stranger.
Leroy Hobden, 40, is only the fifth living person in the country to give a kidney to someone they do not know.

The gardener, from Church Farm, Cowbeech, underwent surgery at St George's Hospital, on Tuesday last week and was back home by Friday.

Mr Hobden said: 'I woke up feeling a bit sore but the doctor told me the kidney was in perfect health and was put into the other patient straight away.'

Mr Hobden will never learn the identity of the person he helped.

Mr Hobden said: 'I know some people wait a long time on dialysis and I just wanted to help.

'It was something I wanted to do which was out of the ordinary.

'There are so many people on the waiting list.'
He added: 'My family and friends were not sure at first but now they understand why I have had it done.

'They have been very supportive.

'I feel really proud to have had it done to help somebody else out.'
He said the decision to donate a kidney was a 'growing idea' which occu
rred about two years ago.

The death of his brother from leukaemia in the 1970s was also an inspiration.

Mr Hobden's parents Sam and Velda were 'dead against' the operation at first.

Sam Hobden said: 'We were both against it and I felt emotional driving him to the hospital.

'I feel quite proud of him now.'

Last year the Government changed legislation to make 'altruisticdonations' possible.

A UK Transplant spokesman said: 'It is fantastic news that Mr Hobden was able to give somebody a second chance of life by gifting one of his kidneys.

'He is only the fifth person in the country to do so through an altruistic donation.'

Mr Hobden hopes to return to work mid-April.

Anyone considering an altruistic donation needs to see their GP or local hospital.

Various tests would then be run to see if the potential donor was suitable for a match.

www.uktransplant.org.uk

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