My Dad Gave Me a Kidney: A Life-Saving Father’s Gift

My Dad – When 25-year-old Kieran Innes received a devastating diagnosis of kidney failure in 2022, his world was turned upside down. The West Lothian man, once full of plans for a dream wedding and an exciting future with his fiancée, suddenly found himself dependent on dialysis three times a week to survive. But what changed everything was something few sons ever imagine saying: “My dad gave me a kidney.”

Now 27 and preparing to marry the love of his life, Kieran says the life-saving gift from his 63-year-old father, Brian Innes, has transformed not just his health but their father-son bond forever.

“This has 100% made our bond stronger. I feel like I owe him my life,” Kieran shared. “Everything I’m able to do now is because of him—and now, I have no worries anymore.”

The Journey to “My Dad Gave Me a Kidney”

Kieran’s health scare began during what should have been a relaxing family holiday in Cullen, Moray, in July 2022. He suddenly fell ill and was rushed to St John’s Hospital in Livingston. Doctors quickly discovered that his blood pressure was dangerously high. Within six weeks, he was diagnosed with kidney failure and fitted with a chest stent to begin dialysis.

He described the experience as exhausting and deeply uncomfortable. “I absolutely hated having the stent,” he said. “Showering became complicated because it couldn’t get wet, and I was constantly afraid of catching it on clothes or sheets.”

The burden of dialysis wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. It cast a long shadow over his engagement to fiancée Lara Russell and their plans to marry. “We were still planning the wedding,” said Kieran, “but it would’ve been very different. The honeymoon would have been a disaster to plan.”

Traveling abroad on dialysis would have required coordination through the NHS to receive treatment in another country—a complex and stressful process.

My dad- After being placed on the kidney transplant waiting list, Kieran and Lara faced another difficult step: asking loved ones to consider being a living donor.

“That was something I was absolutely petrified to do,” Kieran admitted. “But Lara was so supportive—she took the lead and helped ask both of our families.”

My dad- To their surprise and gratitude, eight people volunteered to be tested as potential donors, including Lara’s father, and Kieran’s siblings. But it was Brian Innes, Kieran’s own father, who turned out to be the match that would save his son’s life.

In March 2024, the two men underwent a successful kidney transplant.

For Brian, my dad of seven living in Prestonpans, East Lothian, the decision to donate his kidney came with understandable fear—but also deep love.

“I was nervous, of course,” Brian told BBC Scotland. “They have to tell you the risks, including the chance of death. I thought about my other children, but once I made the decision, I was committed.”

Seeing his son suffer through dialysis was painful. Brian knew he had the power to make a difference. “He was elated when I told him I’d do it,” Brian recalled. “It felt wonderful knowing I could help him.”

After waking up from surgery, Brian’s first thought wasn’t about his own recovery. “I just wanted to know if Kieran was okay,” he said.

Today, Kieran is back to working full-time as a pizza chef and is excited to marry Lara next month in Uphall. The couple has planned a “minimoon” to New York immediately after the wedding, followed by a longer honeymoon in Italy in October—travel that would have been nearly impossible without the transplant.

“Things would be a lot different if I were still on dialysis,” Kieran said. “We probably wouldn’t have gone abroad, and if we did, it would have been so stressful.”

The experience has changed Kieran’s life in more ways than one. It’s brought him closer to his father than ever before. “He’s always hugging me now,” Brian said, smiling. “He even arranged a father-son trip earlier this year as a thank-you.”

For Brian, the pride of saving his son’s life is something he’ll carry forever. “I’m proud of what I did. I’m sure any parent would do the same.”

“My dad gave me a kidney” isn’t just a powerful statement—it’s a story of sacrifice, family love, and the extraordinary strength of a father’s devotion. As Kieran and Lara look ahead to their wedding day, they do so with full hearts—and full health—thanks to the life-changing gift from dad.

Source- BBC