Transplant patients tell of three-way exchange

A kidney patient involved in an three-way transplant swap spanning Britain has spoken of his "fantastic" new life as he met his donor for the first time.

Tim Thakrar, 32, from St Alban's, Hertfordshire, said it felt "great" to come off dialysis after receiving a kidney from Lisa Burton, 45, of Hastings, East Sussex.

He and Ms Burton met each other for the first time on the BBC Breakfast programme yesterday to talk about their part in the swap involving two married couples and a brother and sister.

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Each donor had not been a match for their loved ones but was prepared to offer a kidney to a stranger in return for one for their spouse or relative.

"I feel fantastic after the kidney transplant, it is great that it has finally happened for me," said Mr Thakrar.

"It is absolutely amazing to meet the person who donated a kidney to me and I am just so happy that three people are off dialysis and leading a normal life."

Under the arrangement, a kidney from Andrew Mullen, 53, from Aberdeen, was flown from Edinburgh to London for transplant into Chris Brent, 42, Ms Burton's brother.

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Ms Burton in turn donated a kidney to Mr Thakrar, whose wife, Lynsey, then donated a kidney to Mr Mullen's wife, 54-year-old Andrea.

"I just felt I really had to do something to help him, I really wanted to," Ms Burton said, speaking about her brother's condition. She said donating the kidney had been a "real feel-good factor".

All the group underwent the operations in three different hospitals on the same day in December.

Vicki Chapman, of the Human Tissue Authority, said: "This is the first time that we have seen a three-way transplant and it is a fantastic story."