A devoted son from Sheffield has saved his father's life by selflessly donating one of his own kidneys. Ali Akhtar, 35, stepped forward to help his father Salim after learning that his dad's previous transplant was beginning to fail. The life-changing operation took place at the Northern General Hospital in August 2024.
Ali had always been aware of the devastating impact of kidney disease after watching his father battle renal failure during his childhood. His father had previously received a successful transplant from a deceased donor, which kept him well for many years. However, by 2023, his father's kidney function began to decline, prompting Ali and his three brothers to see how they could help. After going through medical testing, Ali was found to be the best match to become a living donor for his dad.
People from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds often wait significantly longer for a successful transplant match due to a shortage of suitable donors. The family is now sharing their story to help raise awareness about the vital importance of living organ donation.
Ali said: "My dad had renal failure since his early 30s when I was about 9. He was on dialysis and at the time it was very difficult to see him going through that, but thankfully he did receive a donor from the list and he went onto have a transplant and was well for many years. It changed his life and my family's. The burden of dialysis is incredible on body and mind – for my dad it was three hours a day, three days a week."
"Looking back, he tried to protect us from it but it meant we didn't have a lot of time with him because he was commuting daily to work in Leeds, then at the Northern General three times a week for dialysis. Mum was always there for us, in between working night shifts as a nurse."
Ali, who works as a GP, wanted to prevent his father from having to endure that intense routine for a second time. He said: "I was well aware that he was going beyond what can be expected from a deceased donor kidney, and renal failure wasn't something that I wanted him and us to go through again. I am one of four brothers – we got together to look into how we could prevent that from happening and out of my brothers I was the one who was deemed the best match."
"Of course, before the operation I had some apprehension, but the organ donation team were fantastic in talking me through the procedure and I have a huge appreciation of the amazing work that goes on at the Sheffield Kidney Institute. They gave me the opportunity to speak to people who had been through the process before, and I was able to have imaging and testing done on same day."
"I've got a wife, an eight year-old son and a four year-old daughter, and it was tough for them to see me going through it, but I had confidence two months down the line we'd be back to living a normal life. I can do all the things I could do before with no effect on my health. Although my daughter likes to remind me I only have one kidney. For dad, the improvement was immediate. More strength, more energy and more confidence in his health. He doesn't have to carry around that worry now. He can make plans to go on holiday, travel and spend time with grandchildren and make the most of that time."
"I think for everyone it is important that there is education and awareness and understanding about what the benefits are of living organ donation and the importance of good matches. There is a huge amount of care and attention that goes in from the transplant team and the follow up that comes after. Although there is an impact at the time of the procedure, you can live a normal life after."
"I am eternally grateful to the whole transplant team for enabling me to fulfil what I believe was my duty to my father and help one of the people I love the most."
To find out more about becoming a donor, you can visit the official website at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
