A Dundee man has spoken about “the ultimate gift” of an organ transplant which gave saved his life after he contracted kidney disease.
Ian Galloway, 62, from Broughty Ferry, had a kidney transplant in April after his condition deteriorated suddenly.
He has spoken of his gratitude to his donor and their family, and is now backing a campaign to increase the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Statistics released to coincide with the We Need Everybody campaign showed that there are currently 4,345 people in Scotland who are living with a transplant.
Father-of-two, Ian, said: “I’d lived with my condition for a long time but last year, things started to go downhill quite quickly.
“I was retaining fluid, was breathless and knew things weren’t right. Hearing that I was being prepared to be put on the transplant waiting list was when reality hit.
“In November of last year, I was told dialysis would need to start and the process was explained to me along with my wife Alison.
“A lot of it went over my head as I was in denial, but I remember thinking if this is what’s needed then so be it.”
Ian was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2009 after years of suffering from kidney inflammation, a condition managed by medication
In 2016, tests showed his kidney function was declining to the point a transplant would be needed.
Ian added: “Hearing that a suitable kidney had been found was quite surreal.
“I travelled to Edinburgh with my wife and when I arrived I was surprised at the number of staff waiting for me. They were all so professional and caring as they worked to prepare me for surgery.
“When I had kidney disease it was always in the back of my mind, it never left me. I have freedom from that now.
“Knowing that your kidneys are working properly is something that I’ll never take for granted and I have my donor to thank for that.
“Organ donation wasn’t something I ever thought about until the time came that I needed a transplant.
“To be given the chance at a life free from disease is quite wonderful and the ultimate gift.
“I’ve been given something special and I’ll spend the rest of my life taking good care of it.”
45% per cent of the population in Scotland is on the NHS Organ Donor Register but someone dies every day in the UK while awaiting a transplant.
To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit weneedeverybody.org
