<p>In 1986, when I was only a mere 5 years old, my Dad was diagnosed with a degenerative kidney condition that suggested he may well require a new kidney in 10 years time.</p> <p>Almost exactly 10 years later he was suffering a gradual deterioration in his wellbeing that led to, amongst more physical problems, a constant tiredness and confusion. We still enjoy family stories of the time my Mum found a hammer in the fridge, and bottle of milk in the toolshed. As the kidneys fail to clean the blood, the body effectively begins to poison itself as it can't get rid of the unwanted toxins from the body.</p> <p>In June 1996, this deterioration finally led to the requirement to begin the process of dialysis - effectively connecting to a machine that performs the job of a kidney. My Dad went for CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) in which dialysis fluid is introduced into the body via a small rubber tube, a 30 minute process, and left in the body for 4-6 hours as it absorbs the body's waste, and then drained out. This process is done 4 times a day.</p> <p>Though this process gave a very rapid return to health, the dialysis would become a permanent fixture -&nbsp;limiting the family's lifestyle. Any trips away required the dialysis fluid and equipment to come along for the ride and time taken to perform the procedure. Whilst travel overseas was still possible, it was necessary to organise the shipping of&nbsp;dialysis solution directly to the hotel so dialysis could continue there.</p> <p>The news story in the image features the day in 1997 when the family (and extended family, around 16 of us) were travelling on a ski holiday to France. Just off the aircraft and on the coach to the resort, my Dad got The Call from St George's Hospital in Tooting - advising that they had a perfect match, and he needed to return ASAP to undergo a transplant. A case of Planes, Trains &amp; Automobiles - my parents were straight off the coach and back to the Airport, arriving back in London in time for the life-saving surgery. We were incredibly fortunate that my Dad had only been waiting 6 months for this replacement organ (the wait could be months, years - or may never come about), but all the time we were mindful that another family had lost someone from whom the organ was donated.</p> <p>Throughout the dialysis and the transplant, my Dad was cared for by both the NHS staff at the Renal Unit in the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton during the pre and post operation times, and by the staff at St George's Hospital in Tooting during the time of the operation itself. So I'd like to give something back to those people that did their bit to ensure that my Dad is still here 16 years later. I owe so much to my parents, and I certainly wouldn't be in the position I am today without their never-ending love and support.</p>