Woman who saved brother’s life appeals for more ethnic organ donors

A woman who saved her brother’s life by donating one of her kidneys has called for more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people to consider being a donor.

Polly Todd, who donated a kidney to her brother Richard in an operation at Guy’s Hospital in Southwark in 2011, made the call as new figures show living donors from the BAME community have risen.

The latest statistics from NHS Blood and Transplant show a rise from 142 living donors to 149 in the past year.

Polly, who lives in Dulwich, said: “As a child my brother had a kidney problem. In 2007 he was told he needed a donor and I said I would donate if it became necessary. In 2009 it became necessary.

“Without hesitation, and without my brother knowing, I went behind the scenes and decided to start the process of having the medical checks.

“On January 21, 2011, I donated my right kidney to my brother. The operation went well for both of us and recovery was also pretty smooth for me.

“Becoming a living donor is an amazing an profound experience. To give the gift of life is truly an honour and one that I think more people in the African and Caribbean community should consider.”

The rise in numbers of BAME living donors, which represents 14 per cent of all living organ donors, has been welcomed but there remains a chronic shortage.

This is because a high number of people from these ethnic backgrounds develop high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of hepatitis, which makes them more likely to need a transplant.

The pool of potential donors is smaller because blood and tissue types need to match for a transplant to be a success and people from the same ethnic
group are more likely to be that match.

NHS Blood and Transplant blames misinformation amongst certain faiths and cultures for discouraging people from being a black living donor.

Surveys also show that black and Asian families are less likely to discuss organ donation and more likely to decline to donate organs due to a lack of knowledge.

Lisa Silas, an advanced nurse practitioner at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “It’s great to see that there is an upward trend in the numbers of black living donors prepared to give the gift of life.

There is a shortage of donors from this community and we would love to see more black and Asian donors come forward.”

Find out more at www.organdonation.nhs.uk and share your decision with your family.