Thank you to every one, most, if not all, of whom are total strangers to me, for the good wishes, prayers and words of encouragement during John and Pieter’s operation. You have no idea how much your comments meant to us all.

Both John and Pieter are now home and they are both doing extremely well, which we are truly thankful for. Their story is a success story, but unfortunately this is not the case for everyone.

Kidney failure and the need for kidney donors is a huge problem in the UK as this report from Kidney Research UK states:

“Kidney Research UK has raised serious concerns about public attitudes towards organ donation, after a survey revealed the majority of people in the UK are prepared to receive an organ but not donate one.

Results from the survey, carried out by Usurv, indicate that while 87 per cent of people in the UK would accept a transplant if told they needed one, only one in three are actually on the organ donor register.

Around 50,000 people in the UK require some form of ongoing treatment for kidney failure, of which approximately 7,000 are currently waiting for a kidney transplant – accounting for 90 per cent of all patients on the NHS’s transplant waiting list.

With more than three million people in the UK at risk from kidney disease and an aging population expected to further increase demand for donor organs in years to come, Kidney Research UK fears demand for organs will continue to outstrip supply – placing the lives of more and more kidney patients at risk.”

90 Per cent of all patients on the NHS’s transplant waiting list is for a kidney, 3 million people in the UK at risk from kidney disease, 50,000 people in the UK require some form of ongoing treatment for kidney failure? Those are shocking statistics.

John and Pieter’s wish is that their story will inspire and give hope to those suffering from kidney failure and to their loved ones.  All they ask is that you consider registering as an organ donor. They’re not asking you do what John did, just donate your organ(s) when you pass away. You can join the NHS organ donor register here.