Derry son donates kidney and gives his father the gift of life

Derry man, Gerald Harkin, donated a kidney to his father three weeks ago, giving his father, Neil Kevin Harkin, the gift of life and preventing dialysis for the rest of his life.

In 2006, Gerald's dad, Kevin, started to have kidney problems. His diet was regulated and it was managed and monitored until recently his kidney function began to dip drastically.

Doctors started discussing a kidney transplant and after blood tests it was announced that Gerald was a match. Gerald did not hesitate to start the process to donate a kidney to his father and they both underwent successful operations on January 14 at Belfast City Hospital.

68-year-old Kevin fortunately did not have to begin dialysis as Gerald was a live donor and they underwent the surgeries before Kevin's kidneys depleted entirely.

Donation before dialysis improves the chances of the body not rejecting the new kidney.

They are both recovering at home with Kevin on the road to a better quality of life, "Daddy isn't back to himself just yet," said Gerald.

"Doctors are monitoring his medication at the moment and making sure his body doesn't reject the kidney. They say he won't know himself come April/May time, when he starts to see the positive changes.

"The consultants said the operations went extremely well. I went in for my operation at 8:30 and was out by 11:30 and daddy went in around an hour later for three hours.

"I didn't feel great when I came round but I do remember the doctors telling me that both the operations went better than they could have expected and daddy's body was already showing signs of accepting the kidney. There is still a chance that his body might reject the kidney but hopefully that doesn't happen.

"Before the operation, his kidney function was at 11-13 per cent. Immediately after the operation, it was already up to 44 per cent."

Gerald will be off work for 12 weeks as he recovers from the procedure and is currently unable to lift anything heavier than a kettle.

The 38-year-old said he was supported throughout the whole process and continues to receive support in his recovery.

"The services we have here in Northern Ireland are first class, they're world class. From the minute I was a match until now, they have been fantastic," he continued.

"They are with you the whole time, they have a fantastic team. They reassure you it can be done and you can live a normal life after the procedure.

"It was slightly daunting at first but they talk you through the risks and you undergo multiple tests to make sure you are fighting fit to donate. There are risks, but there are risks with everything, and you don't know until you try.

"Had our younger brother been able to get home from America, he'd be here in a heartbeat, I'd say if he was a match, I'd be fighting with him to be the donor but he's only 32.

"Doctors prefer donors to be 35 and older, just to make sure you can live a full life with one kidney. You could live with one kidney from 18, the minimum age to donate, but it is such a long span of your life, they prefer you to be slightly older.

"Receiving a donation has no limit either, if you are healthy enough to receive a transplant. Daddy is 68 and this could give him another ten, 15 years.

"There were people receiving donations in their 70s too and living a full life after, so it can be done. This procedure really is prolonging so many lives, it is really amazing.

"The doctors, nurses, consultants and services at Belfast City Hospital cannot receive enough recognition for what they do, they are incredible. We have the facilities here and it is amazing what they can do.

"They are there through the whole process, they support the family the whole way. They also make sure your wages are covered in the recovery time so you are not worrying about financial aspects either."

Gerald received the call in December that the doctors wanted to go ahead with the operation, "I was a little nervous before the operation, it was a big decision, albeit an easy one. I just sat wondering on the Wednesday night before the operation, 'Will it make a difference?'

"The consultant came up to see me then and she said, 'What you are doing there, if you weren't doing it, your father would go on dialysis and you would see him deteriorate in front of your eyes.' She said what you are doing is amazing and you will see the difference.

"That was very heartening to hear and I needed to hear it then before the operation because you are sitting there very anxious and don't know what to expect.

"I needed that at that moment. I knew then that I was definitely doing the right thing and this was meant to be."

Gerald is recovering at home with his two young boys and his wife Colleen who he says is an amazing support, "She definitely has her hands full with the boys and we are expecting another new arrival in May but she has been amazing.

"I am happy with the timing because I'll be fully recovered in May and back on my feet for the new arrival, I do feel myself getting stronger everyday.

"Hopefully COVID will have calmed down by summer and we can all get out with the whole family for a big dinner to celebrate everything going well and daddy will hopefully be fit enough in time for the new arrival."

Gerald is one of seven siblings and said their support system is amazing, "There are seven of us, so we all have a great support system; my Ma, all our family and friends. The community has also been amazing with their prayers and well wishes. They don't realise just how much it means to us and how much it reassures you during quite a daunting time.

Kevin recovering at home with his wife and family after the operation

"I just want everyone to know that the services are there and they are amazing. Donation can be daunting but it works and it is possible. Your life can go on as normal, you just need to look after yourself, which is something I would be doing anyway.

"Even if people aren't a match for a loved one, there is a system in place called SharePlan where you still donate and someone else donates too and you help someone else who is a match with you and someone else helps your loved one.

"There are plan B's in place and there is an amazing support system there for you. We are now members of NIKPA, Northern Ireland's Kidney Patients Association, so there is that community there for you too.

"In three months or so when daddy starts to recover fully, that is when we will see what it's all about and it was all worth it. I am just so thankful I was in the position that I could give my daddy the kidney."