2 days ago
Scots dad donates kidney to give son 'second chance at life'
Brian Innes stepped up as son Kieran's vital organ was functioning at just ten per cent.
A father has given his son a "second chance" at life after donating his kidney.
Brian Innes, 63, was devastated when his son Kieran, 27, was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney disease in 2022.
Kieran, from Livingston visited, St John's Hospital's emergency department after experiencing impaired vision, high blood pressure, and an intense headache.
Doctors found that Kieran's kidney function had been reduced to just 10% - and within a month, he had started thrice-weekly dialysis.
At the same time, kidney transplant conversations started, and an appeal for a donor was made.
An incredible amount of people came forward to save Kieran from a future on dialysis, including some of his closest friends and extended family members.
Kieran's father Brian, based in East Lothian's Prestonpans, emerged as the most compatible match.
The pair underwent the lifesaving transplant operation at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE).
Brian, a news cameraman said: "The donor matching process was relatively straightforward- I discovered my blood group was O positive therefore compatible for Kieran and as his father I was a 50% tissue match.
"When it was confirmed that I could donate, the living donor transplant team were in touch regularly and were always available for information."
Since the transplant, Kieran has shown remarkable improvement, regaining energy and strength.
Reflecting on their experience ahead of Father's Day, both Brian and Kieran are filled with gratitude.
Kieran has made a full recovery, returned to work as a chef, and is preparing for his wedding to fiance Lara on 5 July 2025 in Uphall, West Lothian.
He said: "Since the transplant, my life has changed completely and I'm doing really well.
"The operation not only kept me alive, but it has allowed me to live my life how I want to.
"I am now able to focus on the things I should at this stage in my life, and enjoy the things I love doing with the people I love the most.
"I am back to working full time and can focus on my future with my soon-to-be wife and having children.
"Those two years following my diagnosis and during dialysis really do feel like a bad dream.
"The difference between before the transplant and afterwards is like night and day.
"Thanks to my dad, I feel like I've been given a second chance.
"I can't thank him enough for the incredible gift he gave me, and I'll never be able to express how grateful I am to him.
"The renal team within NHS Lothian were amazing, and I'd particularly like to pass on a big thank you to the brilliant staff involved in my dialysis at St John's Hospital, as well as the surgeons who undertook the operation at the RIE."
Brian added: "If anyone is thinking of coming forward as a donor, I would like to reassure them that personally, I have had no issues and am living life as normally as I was before the transplant.
"There are risks - like with any surgery - but seeing Kieran healthy and happy is the greatest reward any father could ask for, and the difference now to when he first went on dialysis is incredible.
"It really was a no-brainer for me to donate my kidney to my son."
John Terrace, Consultant Transplant Surgeon at NHS Lothian said: "This is a truly inspiring story of family and hope. "We are thrilled to see such a positive outcome for Kieran, and we are incredibly grateful to Brian for his generosity and willingness to give his son the gift of life.
"Living donors really do change lives.
"Their journey is a testament to the transformative impact of living kidney donation.
"We wish Kieran and his family the very best."
For anyone in a similar situation, Kieran added: "Please don't lose hope. It can be incredibly difficult to keep positive, especially when you feel that everything is against you.
"I am testament to the fact that things truly do get better."
