Living donors share what happens after the decision to donate; from the emotional and physical realities of surgery to the unexpected ways the experience can change a life.
We hear from donors Ali, Angel and Prafulla about their personal journeys through testing, matching and recovery, offering an honest look at what becoming a living donor really involves. Together, they discuss fears around surgery, the realities of recovery, the UK Kidney Sharing Scheme and the questions many people are too nervous to ask: Can you still live normally with one kidney? Exercise? Drink alcohol? Have children?
Alongside insights from NHS specialists and community advocates, the episode explores how donation can strengthen relationships, shift perspectives and create opportunities for recipients to live fuller lives. From seeing loved ones thrive after transplant to discovering new purpose during recovery, these stories reveal the lasting impact of giving a kidney.
Kidney Kinship continues to open up honest conversations around living donation in Black, South Asian and mixed heritage communities, helping people feel informed, supported and stronger together for better health and communities.
Kidney Kinship is a podcast making us stronger together for better health and communities. For more information, visit guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/living-donor.
This series was produced by Unedited in partnership with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and supported by the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.
© 2026 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. All rights reserved.