Talk about organ donation: Hollie and Robert Bailey

For Hollie Bailey, from Caerphilly, dealing with health problems has been a big part of her life since she was a baby. She was born with smaller than average kidneys, which led to kidney failure by the age of 13 and her first transplant in 2006. Her health declined again in 2014 and left Hollie in need of a second kidney transplant at the age of 23.

“Having enjoyed a normal life for so many years after my first kidney transplant, I found it incredibly hard to deal with the sudden decline in my transplant kidney ten years on. Not to mention the intensive daily dialysis treatments and the prospect of a lengthy wait for my second transplant to become available,” says Hollie. 

“Both my mum and dad got tested as possible donors and I was so relieved when dad was confirmed as a good match. I’ll always be grateful for the gift he has given me.”

Stepfather Robert adds:

“We were obviously delighted that I was a match for Hollie. Seeing her suffer endless hours of kidney dialysis was hard for us all. As soon as we found out that we were blood group compatible, I started nine months of intense tests, to make sure that I was fully fit and able to donate a kidney to Hollie.. After the operation, I was off work for six weeks to ensure full recovery. The support we received, and continue to receive, from the hospital has been first class and I’m now back to full health. For anyone deliberating between opting in or out, I would say, opt in. The impact you can have on the quality of someone’s life is immense.”