Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust medical director Paul Sigston donates one of his kidneys to a stranger
10:00, 07 November 2014
The medical director of two hospitals has revealed he donated one of his organs to a woman suffering from kidney failure.
Paul Sigston, 50, who joined the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust in 1998, gave his kidney altruistically.
Neither he nor the recipient knew who each other was. It took place several months ago and he has since received a letter saying the woman with his kidney became a grandmother a week after her operation.
Around 6,000 people in Britain are waiting for a transplant. Last year there were 106 altruistic donations.
Potential donors have to undergo rigorous psychiatric and medical evaluations.
Mr Sigston arranged the operation with Guy's Hospital in London.
He said: "The more I thought about donating a kidney, the more it made sense and while it was a long process, it was also fairly simple.
"My advice to anyone thinking about it would be to look at all the information and be sure it’s the right thing for you."
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