A NEW Quay woman who donated a kidney to her poorly father 20 years ago has spoken about how the decision put her life into perspective.

In celebration of World Kidney Day this Thursday, 42-year-old mother, Suzie Jones, says the decision to donate a kidney to her father 20 years ago, is the most important decision she’s ever made.

Suzie, from Newquay, was only 22 years old when she donated a kidney to her father, Paul Evans, in 2001, after he suffered complete renal failure.

Paul was 53 when he suddenly became ill and told that he was suffering complete renal failure and he would need dialysis treatment.

Suzie said: “The effects of dialysis began to take their toll.

“I watched as I saw my dad - a naturally strong man, deteriorate and his weight dropped to under nine stone. “It broke my heart to see him like this.

“He was in desperate need of an organ, but we couldn’t find a suitable match.”

As Paul became weaker, and still there was no match, Suzie got tested, and found out she was a match.

She added: “As soon as we received the results, I knew I wanted to progress with the transplant.

“I was young and thought I could recover quicker.”

Becoming a donor at such a young age, Suzie was warned about the possible health implications.

She said: “The consultant warned me that I may have some complications after the transplant, such as fertility issues.

Looking back, this was a huge hurdle, as I knew I wanted to have children.

“But I couldn’t bear seeing him in pain. He was never emotional in front of us, but I knew he was suffering.”

In August 2001, the transplant went ahead and was a success.

Suzie said: “When I saw him two days after the transplant, I could instantly see he was better.

“His first words to me were ‘thank you, Suze’; I instantly knew I’d made the right decision.

“Two months after the operation, I fell pregnant. This was a huge surprise, especially after accepting I may have issues conceiving. It was also a worry; it was so soon after a major operation, so they kept a close eye on me. But, my daughter, Jazmine, arrived healthy, nine months later.

“People often ask me why I took such a big risk at a young age. My only response to them is: if they were in my shoes, watching someone they truly loved suffer, they would do the same thing.

“Sadly, 10 years after the transplant, dad lost his battle to cancer. Losing him so young was difficult for the whole family.

But, knowing I helped him enjoy his last 10 years without having to depend on a machine to survive is really special. My kids remember their grandad as that active family man that I grew up with and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Later this summer, Suzie will celebrate 20 years since giving a kidney to her father, a decision she will never regret.

“To anyone considering living donation, you must put yourself in someone else’s shoes. What if your child, your husband, or your mother needed an organ? This gift is their only hope to begin to live normally again, something most of us take for granted.”

If you want to donate your organs, it’s important to make a decision, register it by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting https://beta.gov.wales/organ-donation-campaign and also have “the organ donation chat” with your loved ones to tell them your decision.