'Hero son gave me a kidney and a new lease of life'

A father has described his son who donated one of his kidneys to him and gave him a new lease of life as his "hero".

Mark Bond, from Fulwood, Preston, underwent a living donor kidney transplant in December after his eldest son, Aaron, offered to donate and was found to be a suitable donor.

The transplant was carried out after Mark's kidney function had fallen to 7%, leaving him facing the prospect of life-limiting dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.

Both father and son said they have recovered well and returned to work, with Mark saying the operation has made him feel "20 years younger" and had brought the pair "even closer".

Mark said his kidney problems came to light about a decade ago when he experienced extreme fatigue.

Despite making major lifestyle changes and losing three stone (19kg) his kidney function continued to decline.

When doctors advised he would need either dialysis or a transplant, relatives and friends offered to donate a kidney, including Mark's wife and both sons.

Aaron was found to be a suitable match.

Mark said: "The transplant has completely changed my life for the better.

"I immediately felt so much better. It made me realise just how ill I had become.

"My son has been amazing throughout.

"We were immensely close before, but now we're even closer."

He added: "As a boy he used to say I was his hero, but now the tables have turned.

"He's my hero, without a shadow of a doubt."

Aaron, from Ashton, recovered quickly following the operation and was back at work in three weeks.

He said: "When dad's health started to deteriorate, I wanted to do whatever I could to help."

The 35-year-old said the difference it has made to his life has been "incredible".

"He's enjoying life again and he's able to do things that had become much harder over the years and as a family we have become even closer."

He continued: "People sometimes think donating a kidney is a huge sacrifice, but for me it was an opportunity to help someone I love.

"I'd encourage anyone who is considering living kidney donation to find out more about it. If you're able to donate, you really can change someone's life."

Mark and Aaron are sharing their story to raise awareness of living kidney donation, particularly through the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation.

It offers information, resources and support to anyone considering becoming a donor.

Jan Shorrock, a spokeswoman for the partnership between charities Kidney Research UK and Give a Kidney, said it was a "powerful example" of the life-changing impact living kidney donation can have "not only for the recipient but for entire families".

"Every year, thousands of people across the UK are waiting for a kidney transplant, and many are unaware it is even possible to donate a kidney while living."

She added she hoped it encourage more people have "important conversations with loved ones, and consider whether they could help transform someone else's future".

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