A Father’s Gift
Kieran Innes was only 25 years old when he was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis three times a week. This diagnosis was devastating, and he feared that he would have to limit his plans for a dream wedding and honeymoon with his fiancée, Lara Russell.
The Road to Transplant
Two years later, Kieran’s future was changed thanks to his father, Brian, who donated one of his kidneys to his son. Kieran says that the transplant has made their bond stronger, and he feels as if he owes his life to his father. "Everything I can do is because of him, and I have no more worries," Kieran said.
Life After Transplant
The couple is now planning to get married in Uphall, West Lothian, and will go on a "minimoon" to New York next month, followed by a honeymoon in Italy in October. Kieran, a 27-year-old pizza chef, said that things would have been very different if he had been on dialysis. "We planned the wedding anyway, but things would have been quite different if I had been on dialysis, and the honeymoon would have been a small disaster to plan," he said.
The Diagnosis
Kieran felt unwell when he was on a family vacation in Cullen, Moray, in July 2022. The next day, at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston, he was told that his blood pressure was "through the roof." Six weeks later, doctors said that his kidneys had failed, and he was fitted with a stent in his chest and put on dialysis.
The Donation Process
Kieran "absolutely hated" the stent, as it made showering difficult and he feared catching it on clothing and bed sheets. He was put on the waiting list for a kidney, but was warned that it could take a long time. His fiancée, Lara, asked both families for a living kidney donation. Eight people came forward to offer their kidney, including Lara’s father and Kieran’s brother and sister. However, Kieran’s father was the one who progressed with the operation in March 2024.
A Father’s Love
Brian, who lives in Prestonpans, East Lothian, told how he was "anxious and nervous" about the operation. However, he said that kidney transplants are now quite routine, and although there were risks, he was not overly concerned. Brian found it difficult to see his son suffering from dialysis and wanted to do something to change the situation. "He was thrilled when I told him I would give him a kidney, and I found it wonderful that I was doing it for him," Brian said.
Recovery and Reunion
When Brian woke up after the operation, he felt "relieved" and immediately asked if his son was okay. "Kieran’s life is now normal again, and he is back at work," Brian said. "He would not have been able to go straight to New York after the wedding [without the transplant]." The transplant has definitely brought them closer together, and Kieran is now always hugging his father. Brian is proud of what he did and said that he is sure that someone would do the same for their child.
A New Lease on Life
Kieran said that he feels so happy now that he owes his life to his father. "I can now marry stress-free and have my dream wedding because of him, and spend time with my siblings and fiancée, and plan to travel and then settle down to have children," Kieran said. The kidney should last for about 25 years, which means that Kieran will need to have about three transplants in his life. Brian said that he has a weakness for Kieran and what he did for him, and he is just glad that his son is happy and healthy again.
