We're transplant success living proof, say couple

Nick Bowkett always believed his wife was his perfect match - and that would prove to be truer than even he thought.

When his kidney function dropped to dangerously low levels as a result of a condition he had as a baby, Nick was warned he required a transplant.

But he never imaged the person to help save his life would be his wife Pippa.

Now just a few years after surgery, Nick has completed the Cardiff 10k run to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

“When we found out she was a match, I felt so blessed, it was like winning the lottery," said 48-year-old Nick from Castleton, Newport.

Nick, head of sales for precious metals at The Royal Mint, was 20 when doctors first investigated higher than normal protein levels in his blood.

They found it was a result of a reflux bladder issue when he was a baby which had caused significant scarring of both kidneys.

“My kidney function at this age was around 40% but continued to decline steadily over the years, and in 2017 it dropped dangerously to less than 10%. I was told needed a transplant or start dialysis," he told Radio Wales Breakfast.

As soon as transplant was mentioned, marketing director Pippa, 47, put herself forward for testing and was found to be a suitable match.

“I loved him and could see how ill he was [so] I didn’t give it much thought, I just knew I had to get tested to see if I was a good match," she said.

"If I might be able to give him a better quality of life and several more years, I had to go for it."

Nick and Pippa both underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in January 2018.

While both operations were a success, Pippa caught flu following surgery which meant she had to stay in longer.

"Pip, and anyone who donates in this way, are incredible and should be celebrated for putting themselves through life threatening surgery," said Nick.

"I knew you could live a healthy life on one kidney [but] it was nerve wracking putting someone healthy into that situation.

"While I was feeling better than ever [after surgery], Pip was quite ill. I kept thinking ‘what have I put her through? Why did we do this?’ But she soon got better and things returned to normal. Now we're both fighting fit."

Since surgery, Nick must take daily medication to prevent his body rejecting the kidney and has regular blood tests, but says he feels like a "new man" and completed Sunday's event in 1 hour and 14 minutes.

Pippa, also a keen runner, was forced to withdraw from the race in Cardiff due to injury but was keen to raise awareness.

“We're living proof that transplants do work and you can come out the other end and live a really positive life," she said.

There are more than 6,000 people waiting for kidney transplants in the UK, according to latest NHS figures, and as many five people die every week as a result of not finding a donor.

Kidney Wales managing director Ross Evans said: "Individuals like Pippa and Nick are an inspiration to us all. Without their support the charity could not continue providing advice and guidance, supporting the wellbeing of patients, providing financial aid and funding groundbreaking research."