Uncle, 73, Donates Kidney To Save Nephew

Uncle, 73, Donates Kidney To Save Nephew

Feb 4 2008 By Natalie Walker

GRANDAD Patrick Graham became Scotland's oldest living organ donor when he gave one of his kidneys to his nephew.

And the 73-year-old vowed: "I'd do it all over again if I had to."

Patrick didn't think twice about giving nephew Richard Foley, 38, one of his kidneys - his only concern was that his age might stop him from doing so.

He said: "I thought I was going to be too over the hill to help him. When I found out I could, I was over the moon. "

The retired HGV driver, of Pollokshaws, Glasgow, was put through his paces by doctors for more than a year to make sure he was fit enough to be a donor.

He went under the knife three weeks ago at Glasgow's Western Infirmary so Richard could get his kidney.

The procedure was even more poignant for Patrick as two of his children died tragically young.

Son Stephen was just 29 when he was found dead in a Glasgow flat in 1992.

And four years later another of his sons, Michael, took his own life when he was 38.

Incredibly, it is the second time Richard, of Shawlands in Glasgow, has received a life-saving transplant from a relative.

Eleven years ago, his mum, Anne, Richard's younger sister, gave him one of her kidneys.

And last night, the dad-of-two said he would never be able to repay them.

Richard said: "To get one person in your family to help you out like this is a big deal, to get two is quite incredible. I still can't believe it.

"And what gets me is neither of them thought twice about it.

"We did think my uncle might have been too old to help out and I felt so bad he had to go through so many tests to make sure he was healthy enough to donate.

"There were days he'd spend hours on the treadmill strapped up to monitors to test his breathing and heart rate. He was really put through his paces. When the doctors told us it was a goer, we both just welled up.

"I was getting more and more ill. He saved my life."

Richard's health started to deteriorate in 1996 when he began suffering severe back pain, nosebleeds and weakness.

Tests revealed his kidneys had started to shrink but doctors did not know why.

He was told he could die within a few years if he did not get a transplant. As soon as she heard, his mum, Anne, 63, said she wanted to donate one of her kidneys.

She went through six months of tests to see if she was a match.

While doctors waited for her results, Richard, a construction worker, started having dialysis . The operation was carried out in October that year.

But by 2006, Richard became unwell again. He was told his body was rejecting his kidney and he needed another transplant. This time, his uncle insisted on helping. Richard said: "When I see him and my mum now I am just so grateful. They have huge scars on their backs.

"I felt so guilty both times I went into hospital. I spent years saying thanks to my mum and now I am starting all over again with my uncle Patrick."

But dad-of-five Patrick said: "The only thing I wanted was to see Richard happy and healthy and he's doing just great.

"That's the only thanks I need. I really don't see what the big deal is - anyone would do what I did to help someone in their family who is sick.

"And if I am honest, I am just grateful someone so young wasn't worried about having a 73-year-old kidney.

"When I found out I was the oldest living donor, it was a bit of a shock.I don't feel that old. It made me wonder why more pensioners like me don't do it."

A spokesman for UK Transplant said it was unusual for someone to get two transplants from family members.

Just over 100 Brits have had two kidneys from a relative.

Do you want to become a donor? Call 0845 6060400

-- http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/02/04/uncle-73-donates-kidney-to-save-nephew-86908-20308805/