Kidney-swap sisters ‘closer than ever now’

Kidney-swap sisters ‘closer than ever now’

By Catherine Pye
Oct. 25

A WOMAN has given her sister a new life after donating one of her kidneys to prevent her struggling with years of dialysis.

Darwen Market Super-intendent Gwen Sangster, 53, had the major operation to help Angela Blackmore, 49, who has suffered from kidney failure for 16 years.

She was given a kidney transplant at the time from a donor but her third kidney began to fail after chemotherapy to treat breast cancer two and a half years ago.

Gwen made the decision when Angela, a resuscitation officer at Loughbourgh Royal Infirmary, began dialysis in December.

She has just returned to work following the organ swap and said she didn't have to think twice about making the decision.

Angela from Loughborough, suffered from kidney failure brought on by pre-eclampsia, a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy.
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Gwen, who lives with husband Ron in Lammack, Blackburn, said: "I have never thought of it as I have saved my sister's life.

"It was an easy decision for me. It made more common sense for me to do it.

"I was in a position to help my sister and to make her life better. She was ill and I was fit. I would do it again.

"The transplant has brought us closer together."

Surgeons removed Gwen's left kidney at Loughborough General Hospital and transplanted it into Angela's groin. Angela now has four kidney's, only one of which works.

Gwen added: "Angela is so much better and it doesn't feel like it's my kidney she has.

"If anyone is thinking about it they should go for it as it makes such a massive difference to people's lives."

Angela said: "I feel fantastic. When your kidneys fail, it affects the rest of your body.

"Your mental faculties slow down, and it affects your bones and circulation.

"It has been literally life-saving and life-changing.

"You realise life is about more than just health and I now feel better than I have in five years."

Angela's youngest son, Stephen, 22, received a kidney transplant from his father Alan two years ago after suffering renal failure.

Angela said: "It made it easier seeing what Stephen's transplant was like.

"We realised that it really wasn't going to be a problem.

"Things have really moved on since 15 years ago when I had my first transplant.

"The drugs are so much better so rejection is much less of a problem, and the surgery is keyhole rather than having to break ribs.

"I wasn't nervous - I was more worried about Gwen."

Angela and Gwen's mum, Beryl Cross, 77, from Wigan, said she was exceptionally proud of her family: "It's marvellous and I'm very proud of all my family.

"Gwen jumped in straight away and it's turned out beautifully. What more can a mother ask?"

Gwen, a member of Blackburn People's Choir, said she was heartened by the support the choir offered.

She said: "On the Saturday after we had the surgery, the choir were performing in Edinburgh and rang me up to sing Only You down the phone."

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DEVOTED SISTERS: Gwen Sangster (left) of Lammack donated a kidney to her sister Angela Blackmore (right)