If you haven’t thought about organ donation, then one woman’s story might encourage you to have a chat about it with your family and friends.

Karen Casey, from Wishaw, said: “Approximately 30 years ago, I went to my GP as I had a pain in my right hand side. He sent me for tests and it turned out that I’d had a urine infection for approximately five years, which I had never experienced any symptoms of.

“Both my kidneys were damaged. At 19 years old I was told the devastating news that my kidneys would only last ten years.

“Because of the brilliant care that I received, I actually got 24 years out of my kidneys before I needed dialysis. I was very lucky.”

Karen’s kidney function was monitored and gradually decreased until it reached 4 per cent and she began three years of dialysis treatment at Monklands Hospital.

Karen added: “When my kidney function deteriorated to 4 per cent, I began to develop fluid and put on three stone in the space of two weeks. By that time I knew my kidneys were on their last legs.

“The staff at Monklands Hospital made me feel so welcome. In my opinion, it must be the best dialysis unit in the whole of the UK. The staff are so friendly and put you at ease.

“I received dialysis in the main unit for two weeks before moving up to self care. With support from the staff, the unit allows you to have full control over your own treatment, which is so important.

“Dialysis is an intrusion into your life. My dialysis would last for four hours. In that time, the machines need to do what your body does over two days.”

On 19 August 2014, Karen received a call to say that there was a kidney available for her.

Karen said: “Somewhere out there, there is a family grieving. During their grief, the have taken the time to think about helping someone else. I think that they are amazing people who have done a beautiful thing in making that decision. I am so grateful to him and his family.

“I want to encourage people to talk to their families about their organ donation wishes. When you make the decision to be an organ donor, it should be the same as when you write your will.

“It is hard for a loved one to make that decision if they have never had that conversation. There are many people who die who could have been donors, but they didn’t express their wishes to their next of kin.

“My mission in life it to make people more aware about kidney disease and organ donation. Kidney disease is almost silent. If you look at a kidney patient, you may not notice that they are unwell, but it does so much damage to your body. I have lost some very good friends to kidney disease. It is such a sad illness.

Register your interest

Over 40 per cent of Scots have already made their wishes known by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register, but it’s vital you tell your family to ensure your wishes are carried out should anything happen to you.

To find out more about organ donation and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org.