Sister's Gift of Life: A Tale of Unforgettable Kindness

A Northern Ireland man's Journey

A Northern Ireland man has shared his personal journey of recovery after a life-saving kidney transplant from his sister. Back in the summer of 2021, Lynn Shanks selflessly donated a kidney to give her brother Graeme Francey, 57, a new lease of life.

Diagnosis and Transplant

The International Hockey Coach and INST School Coach was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2007 at the age of 39. Graeme’s journey began when a routine GP visit detected high blood pressure, an unexpected finding for someone who considered himself extremely fit. Following blood tests, he was referred to the Ulster Hospital Renal Unit. Within 15 minutes, he was told that he would need a kidney transplant within a year, which he says came as a huge shock.
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