My name is David Smith, and I celebrated my 60th birthday last year, which was quite a milestone considering my medical journey. You see, when I was just 14 years old in 1968, I was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. That’s when my life took a remarkable turn.

Back then, my only hope was a pioneering surgery at Addenbrookes Hospital. My father, John, stepped up to be my live kidney donor. It was a groundbreaking operation performed by Prof Roy Calne. Miraculously, the surgery was a success, and both my father and I were able to return to our Lancashire farm.

Life went on, and when I was 20, I met Ann. We got married in 1976 and had three wonderful children: Marion, Andrew, and Matthew. However, in the summer of 1987, my transplanted kidney started to fail. It was devastating news. I had to rely on hemodialysis while still managing our family farm. Dialysis became a part of my daily routine, and I even had to wear special dialysis zipper shirts to make the process easier.

Then, in January 1989, a phone call in the middle of the night brought a glimmer of hope – “we have a kidney for you.” The successful operation gave me a new lease on life, and I cherished every moment of it. My transplanted kidney served me well until around 2001 when it began to show signs of decline. Dr. Gill Hirst suggested dialysis once again, and I faced the challenges with a positive outlook.

Throughout this journey, Marion got married to Carol, and they welcomed two beautiful grandchildren, Georgia and Chloe, who brought immense joy to our family. Andrew continued to help on the farm, and Matthew lent a hand whenever possible. My father, John, was always there, watching over us.

But my medical trials were not over yet. In December 2003, I received a life-saving third transplant after yet another phone call from the hospital. The initial recovery was tough, and I had to use a cystic fibrosis picc line during my recovery. But with determination and the support of a dedicated medical team, I made a remarkable recovery.

Over the years, Ann and I expanded our family with the addition of two more grandchildren, Jamie and Cassie, along with our daughter-in-law Lisa. Unfortunately, my father, John, passed away in 2009, but his selfless gift of life to me lives on as a constant reminder of his love and sacrifice.

For my 60th birthday, our family organized a surprise party. Instead of gifts, we suggested donations for “Kidneys for Life” and the “Multiple Sclerosis Society” in support of Marion, who had been diagnosed with MS the previous year. The party was a great success, raising £750 for Kidneys for Life and £500 for MS research.

Ann and I are immensely grateful for the support throughout our journey. We extend heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals, including Colin Short, Sheila Russell, Sue Perrin, Anne Palmer, and all the doctors and nurses