A Newport woman is marking one year since she made the extraordinary decision to donate one of her kidneys to a complete stranger, and is now encouraging others to learn more about living organ donation
LIZ WILSON, 49, from Bassaleg, Newport, underwent surgery in June 2025 to donate a kidney to someone she had never met. She was inspired to become a non-directed living donor after her own family received a heartfelt letter from the recipient of a kidney donated by her late mother, whose organs were donated following her death in 2021.
Reflecting on the first anniversary of her donation, Liz said the experience had changed her outlook on life.
“It’s a great feeling knowing you have potentially saved somebody’s life and they are able to enjoy a better quality of life,” she said.
She added: “Donating a kidney has given me a completely different perspective on life. It makes you appreciate your health and realise how fortunate you are. Knowing that my donation has helped someone else have a better quality of life is incredibly rewarding.
“Many people assume that donating a kidney would stop them from living a normal life, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. A year on, I’m healthy, active and proud to know that I’ve helped transform someone else’s future. If my story encourages someone to learn more about living donation, that would be wonderful.”
Liz is now supporting the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation, which provides information, resources and one-to-one peer support for anyone considering becoming a living donor.
Living kidney donation allows healthy people to donate one of their kidneys to someone whose kidneys are failing. While many donors choose to help a relative or friend, non-directed donors like Liz donate to someone they have never met.
More than 7,000 people across the UK are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, with six people dying every week while waiting for a suitable organ. For many patients, a kidney from a living donor offers the best chance of long-term success, often lasting significantly longer than one from a deceased donor while reducing the need for dialysis.
Jan Shorrock, spokesperson for the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation, praised Liz’s generosity.
“Liz’s story demonstrates the extraordinary impact that ordinary people can have through living kidney donation,” she said. “One donor can transform – and even save – a life. On the first anniversary of her donation, we want to celebrate Liz’s generosity while encouraging more people to learn about the possibility of becoming a living donor.”
For more information about living kidney donation and the support available to prospective donors, visit www.donateakidney.co.uk.
