Georgia Wilding made the life-changing decision after cousin Jamie Wilding, from Hertfordshire, died.
Jamie had undergone two vital liver transplants as a child before he finally died aged 30 of a condition he had had since birth.
The experience drove Georgie to work as a transplant nurse and now she sees daily how organ donation saves lives.
So in July this year, Georgia, 30, became a living organ donor, having the operation that saved the life of a total stranger.
She said: “Every day I see people waiting to have a transplant, and I know how many lives are lost and how important organ donation is.
“I was devastated when we lost Jamie, and knew I wanted to do something as a legacy to him. So I decided to donate one of my own kidneys, and save a life.”
Jamie, who died in 2020, was born with a cholesterol disorder that affected his liver. He had two liver transplants – a first aged 10, the second at 11. But years later he suffered heart failure and wasn’t well enough for another transplant.
Georgia said: “We were so close. We would meet up whenever we could. We had so many more precious years because of the transplants.”
Her decision to donate a kidney involved months of tests before a match was found.
The transplant took place
at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, where Georgie works. It was
a success.
She said: “I wasn’t nervous about having surgery. I was more nervous about not catching any infection before the transplant.
“I don’t know who my kidney went to, and maybe one day they will get in touch.”
Georgia, who also works with the Live Life Give Life charity, is now training for the London Marathon next April. She said: “Everyday at work I am blessed to meet people saved by transplants, and my life is richer for it.
● Visit organdonation.nhs.uk
