Kids after Kidneys

Kids after Kidneys:

Its the 6th April 2016 - transplant day.
Its 9:00 am and my brother, Luke is being wheeled down to theatre. This is a huge moment. He is giving the gift of life (a kidney) to a sick woman. The incredible part is, this woman, Laura is his wife. His last words to Laura before going under was “I’ll give you a kidney and you give me a baby.” Laura’s whole family has been tested for a match but her Luke was the only perfect match. This is the biggest and most loving gesture that anybody could ever give. Let me start from the beginning...

Shortly after birth, Laura was diagnosed with Prune Belly Syndrome, a very rare condition in which only 50% of babies make it past their second birthday. Out of everybody diagnosed with this condition, 97% of these are male. Complications  with Prune Belly Syndrome include severe kidney problems, and eventually, kidney failure. 

Skip a few years to the 25th November 2006. This is the year Luke and Laura met and started dating. They had their magical wedding on the 24th July 2010. Almost 5 years and one month to the day, on the 21st June 2015, Laura started to get quite sick. This is the day she started dialysis. From there, her health began to deteriorate and things got progressively worse. 

Anybody who knows Laura knows that she is obsessed with kids. She works as a nursery nurse and from meeting him the first time, she knew she wanted to have a family with him. Sadly, as of July the 13th 2012, Luke and Laura suffered a miscarriage. Her due date was the 20th February 2012, a date they celebrate with grief every year. 

Back to transplant day:
Laura had her surgery that afternoon and, after a short wait, both our families are relieved to find they are both recovering well. After getting the all-clear, Luke and Laura were given the news they’d beenhoping for, for so long! One day they would finally be able to have their own children, their own blood. 

From that time until now. Many doctors appointments and checkups later, all of our hopes have been dashed, especially theirs. Unfortunately, Luke and Laura received the news that, due to Laura’s condition, carrying a baby would not be possible and that no doctor or surgeon would help her, due to the fact that it would be life threatening. Devastated, they’ve beenlooking at different ways they can have their own children and they have chosen surrogacy. There are no words to describe how desperate Laura is to finally hold ababy in her arms and how much Luke would give to have a kick about in the back garden with his kid.

Luke and Laura should be starting their treatments in January but surrogacy is expensive and as the NHS will not fund it, they need your help. Please just give evena few coins to this inspirational couple, itwill change their lives forever. We have ashort deadline, so if anybody has any more ideas, please msg me on here! Thank you so much for reading this far! And a shout out to Laura’s friend, Stacey who has offered to be the surrogate mother. We can never thank you enough for this huge sacrifice! 

I will keep everybody updated, thanks again, 

Hannah x