Influencer son pays tribute to 'hero' mum, 70, as she donates her kidney to him

A 70-year-old donated her kidneyto her sick son who told her: "You're my hero." Age was no barrier to Gill Raggett as she gave son Luke, 32, the gift of life.

The procurement consultant and social media influencer was facing the grim prospect of kidney failure and gruelling dialysis. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) at 15, his condition deteriorated to the point that he needed a transplant.

Supermum Gill was found to be the perfect match and was so fit and healthy, she was able to donate shortly after turning 70 in June. They are both now recovering well and may compete in future Transplant Games as keen swimmers.

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Luke now has THREE kidneys as the surgeons decided it was best to leave his two in his body to work alongside his mum's. Just two months after the successful operation, they have decided to share their story to mark Organ Donation Week.

And they are urging others to think about the latest figure showing 6,934 people on the kidney transplant waiting list. Luke, who has 75,000 followers on Instagram at @luke_through_my_lens, is already noticing the change in his quality of life, saying: “I’ll always be grateful to Mum for putting herself in this position to help me out. She is my hero.

"We have a great relationship, and I think this has strengthened that even more. It’s special to always have a part of Mum with me.”

Luke was a keen national level swimmer as a teenager and now plans to return to the pool to compete at the Transplant Games. And Gill can compete alongside him in the 'donor' competition.

"It was a beautiful experience doing this with mum," added Luke, now living in London. "The best part was being alongside one another on the ward at Hammersmith Hospital after the transplant.

"My first question when I came around was to ask how she was. I know it was the same for her, we are very alike. They did tests and they told her physiologically she had the body of a 20 year old. That made her day when she was told that.

"I now have three kidneys, mum's is on the other side of my body, it is fitted in the right side and connected to an artery in my leg. I would love to compete in the Transplant Games, and mum can too as a donor."

Gill, a former leisure centre receptionist and swimming teacher, added: “For me this was a no brainer, to be able to do this for my son.

"They did a lot of tests and obviously many of them were very good for someone of my age. I have always kept fit, and feel now as if this is the reason why. Through Kidney Research, I met people who did this for complete strangers, absolutely amazing stories.

"As time goes on, we're both doing better. It is a relief to be able to support Luke as his life gets back to more normality."

Luke's dad Mark, 61, has diabetes and so could not donate. Luke's brother Daniel, 36, was also a good match and could donate if Luke were to need another kidney in future.

Every week six people die while waiting for a kidney. Living donors are playing an increasingly important role.

More than 1,000 people made a living kidney donation last year to a relative, friend or someone they do not know.

Kidney Research UK offers support through the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation, which connects people who are considering donation with those who have already done it.

Gill, of Salisbury, Wilts., admitted: “It’s a daunting thought to have surgery and give up an organ.

"However, once I’d spoken to the doctors and someone who had been a donor herself, I was reassured that my life wouldn’t be negatively affected living with one kidney.

"I’m already proving that is the case. My kidney will have a far greater impact on Luke’s life than my own. I’d encourage anyone to consider donating a kidney, for a loved one or even a stranger.”

Sandra Currie OBE, chief executive of Kidney Research UK, told how Gill’s gift showed "the extraordinary difference a living donor can make, giving someone their future back".

"But thousands more people are still waiting," she added. "Our researchers are working on innovations to increase the number of transplants each year and make them last longer.

"The Robert Dangoor Partnership’s Buddy Service ensures anyone considering donation can get the information and support they need to take that step.

"This Organ Donation Week, we urge people to find out more because your decision could save a life.”

The Mirror Change the Law for Life campaign brought the opt out system to England for organ donation in May, 2020.

Max and Keira's Law was named in honour of our campaigner Max Johnson, now 17, and his heart donor Keira Ball, who died aged nine in 2017 after a tragic car accident near her home in Barnstaple, Devon

* Organ donor buddies can help ease fears about surgery: https://www.donateakidney. co.uk/requesting-a-buddy.