Heartbroken dad donates his kidney to young girl after his own daughter died from transplant

Kindness is always returned in some form or another. A man who recently lost his daughter to kidney disease decided to donate his kidney to another young girl. Andy Emmott from England endured the devastating loss of his 8-year-old daughter, Sarah, who succumbed to kidney disease during the coronavirus pandemic, the BBC reported. She had received a kidney transplant donated by a “kind stranger,” but passed away a year later. To return the favor, Emmott did not hesitate to make a life-saving donation to an 11-year-old girl, Amber. 

The 55-year-old father took the pain of undergoing a transplant surgery for Amber, who was suffering from kidney disease. He said the young girl’s appeal had many similarities to his late daughter, so he felt the need to donate. "I saw the appeal for Amber, and there were so many similarities between Amber and Sarah that I felt I just had to put myself forward," Emmott shared. His daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with congenital nephrotic syndrome and received a kidney transplant shortly after, and was staying at the Leeds General Infirmary. Unfortunately, Sarah died only 364 days after the transplant. 

Emmott acknowledged, “I donated a kidney because a kind stranger donated one to my daughter," said Mr Emmott.” Ever since, he has invested himself in raising funds for Theodora Children’s Charity, an organisation that played a significant role in his daughter’s recovery. The charity actively participates in promoting joy and laughter among child patients by sending professional performers to the hospital. Emmott recalls having a great time with Sarah. "They brought so much joy and laughter to her and were a great distraction for her,” he noted. While life has been difficult for Emmott since his daughter’s passing, Emmott kept an eye out to return the kindness he and his family were fortunate to receive. 

At present, the father is employed at the Northern Powergrid as he recovers from the surgery. The organization posted Emmott's kind donation on their official X handle, @Northpowergrid. Amanda White, his manager, paid a visit to his home and was struck by his daughter’s presence all over his home. There were “photo after photo” lined up on his walls and shelves that hinted at the kind of love Sarah was fortunate to have. “What is obvious is how loved she is and how happy she was despite everything she was going through. In every photo, Sarah is wearing the most infectious smile,” White said. She also noted how “incredible” Andy was in having donated his kidney despite his immense loss. 

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, kidney disease is not common in children, and it is hard to estimate the child patients due to few symptoms in the early stages. However, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more young boys than girls. The most common symptoms are swelling in the feet, hands, or face, called edema, increased or decreased urine output, pink urine caused by blood, called hematuria, weight loss, and more.