An inspirational cancer care lead from Teesside who was given the ‘gift of life’ through living kidney donation 10 years ago is sharing how living kidney donation transformed her life - following World Kidney Day.
From dialysis three to four times a day, to now exercising three to four times a week, personalised cancer care lead Lyndsey Hoare from University Hospitals Tees is living proof of the impact a donor can make ten years on.
Lyndsey’s health battle began as a teenager when she was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital for plasma treatment on her kidneys after contracting Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). A condition that causes small blood vessels to become inflamed, swollen, and leaky.
Following this, Lyndsey was placed under the care of the renal teams at The James Cook University Hospital who she describes as her ‘real life angels.’
A few years later, she was then diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, a chronic autoimmune disease that steadily attacked her kidneys.
She said: “After being added to the organ transplant register in 2015, I started on peritoneal dialysis which involved a fluid exchange three to four times a day which I did myself at home.
“I also worked full time at James Cook, so I would have to do a dialysis exchange whilst at work on the ward.
I am so thankful to my consultant Dr Shipley, his secretary Janice, the dialysis nurses, and staff on the renal unit, outpatients and ward 4 who always made me feel part of the furniture when I had to do dialysis on my lunch breaks. They are amazing, caring professionals, and I wouldn’t have got this far without them.”
In September 2016, Lyndsey found a match and received a live donated kidney transplant at The Freeman Hospital.
Since then, Lyndsey has used her experience to help thousands of patients, families and carers access personalised care during diagnosis, during treatment, beyond and palliative within her role as a Macmillan personalised cancer care lead at University Hospitals Tees.
She has also taken part in the World Transplant games, is a volunteer for the North East Kidney Patients Association and plans to complete a fundraising walk for Kidney Research with her family as part of her 10-year transplant bucket list.
However, Lyndsey’s biggest goal this year is to get ten people signed up to the organ donation register; one person for every year of her transplant.
She said: “I’m sharing my story to inspire those waiting for a transplant to never give up and to encourage more people to have the conversation with their family about donating their organs.
“I will forever be grateful for the kindness of my donor who has allowed me to spend the last 10 years healthier with my family and friends, go on holiday and enjoy the little things like watching my nieces and nephews grow up.
Since my transplant, I now lead a very normal life, I am fitter and healthier without being breathless and have a much better quality of life. I am living proof of the impact living donation can make.”
Give the gift of life
Renal consultant, Dr Shipley said: “There are over 7,000 people in the UK currently on the transplant waiting list who are relying on living organ donors to come forward and to speak to their families and loved ones about organ donation.
“Lyndsey is an amazing example of how kidney transplantation can transform the life of someone with kidney failure and enable them to live a fuller, healthier and more active life with their friends and family.
“Signing up to the organ donation register is quick and simple and could help save someone’s life.”
Useful contact details
To register your interest in living kidney donation, visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website