An Angus man has saved a life just six months after signing up to the organ donor register after giving up one of his kidneys.
Colin McLachlan, 66, from Montrose, got in touch with NHS Tayside’s transplant coordinator in March. He decided to sign up to give someone a second chance at life just a month after his wife Isobel, 56, died of breast cancer.
He talked to his sons Ross, 31 and 33-year-old Craig before going ahead with the procedure. Although he may never know who received his kidney, Mr McLachlan believes more people should follow in his footsteps.
Mr McLachlan, a retired property developer, said: “I talked it through with my two sons because I thought if they got kidney disease, I would have given away my only ‘spare’ one but there was only a slim chance of it happening in my lifetime.
“We agreed as a family what to do. Anyone can do it and it is no big deal.”
Through a series of meetings at Ninewells Hospital with NHS Tayside’s transplant coordinator, Colin had a number of health checks carried out before meeting with surgeons and even a psychiatrist.
His operation took place in Edinburgh, lasting more than four hours, and he was back on his feet in just a few weeks.
He continued: “I first became aware of doing it in the summer last year when I was watching a television programme and immediately thought ‘what a good idea’. I’ve got two kidneys and I only need one.
“It would be relatively straightforward to save someone’s life. The surgeon asked me why I was doing it and I said to him week-in, week-out, he is saving lives and it must feel pretty good.
“I just wanted a bit of that and I feel like I’ve done something with my life at no great cost. By going through a simple procedure you can save a life.”
Donors and recipients are kept anonymous so donors may never find out who they gave a new lease of life to. However, Mr McLachlan has been told that, so far, everything has gone well with the woman who has received his kidney.
He said: “As far as I’m concerned it is hers now. All I would say to them is carpe diem seize the day because they’ve got another chance.
“When you meet people who have had a transplant you realise just how vitally important it is and the transformation it can make to someone’s life.”