‘I donated my kidney aged 84 to save my son-in-law’s life’

A pensioner has become the oldest person in Britain to donate a kidney to a relative, after giving up the organ to save his critically ill son-in-law. Graham Sisson, who was 84 at the time of the operation, had tests over 11 months to ensure he was a match for Ian Tonks, 49. Ian was suffering from kidney failure and needed regular dialysis, which led to repeated infections and sepsis.

Graham, now 86, said: “I’m thrilled to bits to see Ian’s life change, but others seem to think it is a bigger thing than I do. I could see how incredibly ill he was and I wanted to help him get his life back. His whole life revolved around dialysis. Many family members put themselves forward but couldn’t donate for various reasons, so I put myself forward and the tests showed I was compatible.

“To make sure it was safe for both of us, I then had 11 months of tests. By this point he was so ill that if the operation had been delayed, he may well have run out of time.”

Ian, of Buxton Derbyshire, first began experiencing kidney problems in 2006.

He was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, a common chronic kidney disease which mainly affects young adults, and underwent a first transplant in 2014.

However, his kidney health declined again and he began having dialysis in 2018. The life-saving procedure uses a machine to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly.

Ian said the treatment “puts a complete stop to your life”. He added: “It requires a strict routine for spending time on the dialysis machine, meaning I could no longer work and my hobbies stopped.

“I have a classic car I like to work on and go for weekend drives with my partner, I’m a big Birmingham City fan and I enjoyed my work — but all of that ended because of my condition.

“I was placed on the transplant list, but you can face quite a wait because of the demand for organs.”

Ian’s wife Helen, who is Graham’s step-daughter, tried to donate but was ineligible due to a previous cancer diagnosis. Her sister was also not a match.

Ian said: “That was when I got a call from Graham one Sunday night. I was shell-shocked by Graham’s decision — total disbelief.

“He was so confident about wanting to do it. There is truly no gift in the world that matches what he did.

“To this day, my voice cracks whenever I talk about it, knowing how brave he has been for no other reason than to help me. It’s unbelievable. The kindest thing a person has ever done for me.”

The operation to transfer Graham’s left kidney to Ian took place at Manchester Royal Infirmary in October 2024.

NHS specialists said Graham was the oldest person to give a kidney in a direct donation, where a person donates an organ to a patient with whom they have a genetic or pre-existing emotional relationship.

Graham, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, said: “I did get an award from NHS Blood and Transplant as a Kidney for Life Hero and have a badge, which I wear with pride.

“Recovery was quick for me and I have carried on as normal. We’ve been to the cricket together and have gone to watch Derby County. I’m just glad it worked.”

Ian said he would have died in a “matter of months” without Graham’s selfless gift. He added: “To be that age and do what he has done is incredible.

“It still feels incredible just to go to the toilet normally and not be tied to a machine. I watched Oasis at Heaton Park and have been to the football again.

“Even the little things in life are massive now, like my bedroom being a bedroom and not having a dialysis machine dominating it. I can eat whatever I want and live a normal life.

“I said at my wedding speech before the transplant that Graham is an unsung hero. He always helps, whether it’s a lift or financial support.

“He never asks for anything but gives everything. It’s a surprise he did this, but also not at all, because that’s just who he is.”