Before my sister’s wedding in 2013, I never knew who Lloyd Daniel was, all I knew was that he was my brother in law’s best friend.
Fast forward, months after the wedding, I heard through my sister that Lloyd was very ill, he had kidney failure, and needed a kidney transplant. He was asked by his consultant if there was anybody in his family that might be willing to donate. My brother-in-law and my sister came forward to donate, when I heard about it and although I didn’t really know Lloyd I didn’t think twice and offered to be tested with the others.
My sister and I were both compatible, however for health reasons the doctors decided I would be a better match. That was it I was on my way to becoming a living kidney donor! Like many other Black living donors, I had never heard about living donation till then.
Today, thank God, we are both doing amazingly well, and I’m very proud of what I did.
It wasn’t an easy decision, my heart and mind were telling me to do it, but my family and friends were all against it. They couldn’t understand why I would risk my life to give someone the opportunity to live theirs, after all Lloyd was not family, he was not my partner he was not even someone I called a friend! Everyone thought I was crazy to put my life at risk for someone who was practically a stranger!
But nothing could stop my decision; I wanted to help him have a better life and give him back his hope. To be honest if Lloyd had died knowing that I could have saved his life and I didn’t, I don’t think that my life would ever be the same.
Celebrating Black living donors is just an inspirational event, it’s so wonderful to be in a room full of people who have given a kidney just like you, it’s amazing to see how proud they were, I felt that I shouldn’t be ashamed or try to hide this amazing act of generosity and kindness. It was also lovely to speak with black kidney patients and encourage them to talk with their loved ones about living donation.
Vera, an angel in disguise
Lloyd’s story
I mean disguise in the true sense of the word, I never knew Vera at the time I was struggling with kidney failure, but her decision to donate to someone who was not a family member, or even a friend changed my life and now we are best friends for ever.
Since she donated her kidney to me, I have my quality of life back! I can now spend precious time with my loved ones, travel the world and continue to fulfil my passion of bodybuilding. When I was on dialysis this was not possible. I and my family will forever be grateful. Vera and I both now live healthily and are enjoying life to the max.! If you are brave enough to be a living donor for someone do it! you will be transforming someone’s life.