A RENFREWSHIRE woman has told how her life has been completely changed after receiving a kidney from her friend.

Lois Denham, 50, was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease when she was just eight years old.

As her health deteriorated over the decades, she found herself in a state of constant fatigue and severe sickness.

However, meeting Josh Hall at church eight years ago made a huge difference.

The Gazette:

“Josh saved my life and I can’t put into words what it is he’s done for me,” said Lois. “Nothing I could ever do in the rest of my life could repay him enough.

“I know that it is and will continue to be the best gift I’ve ever received.

“Life has completely changed. What he did for me and my family was simply amazing.

“Also, Josh’s wife Erica has been one hundred per cent in agreement throughout, which is also so amazing. They are some pair.”

The Gazette:

After getting to know Lois through the Love Church, 29-year-old Josh decided last July that he could be in a position to help her.

“I couldn’t shake the desire to see if I would be a match – and, as it turned out, I was,” he said. “As a Christian, I totally believe that we look for ‘miracles’ or the supernatural but there is nothing more miraculous than love.

“It was a no-brainer (for me). Even the doctors said ‘it’s almost like you were supposed to give one away’.”

The Gazette:

After Lois and Josh, as well as their partners, agreed to the procedure, he started the process of being assessed as a living donor.

In December, he was officially approved for the transplant, which took place on January 17.

Lois, from Paisley, said: “I have a new lease on life because of Josh’s sacrificial giving.

“The toxins in my blood were over 1,000 and a normal level is below 120. I now am about 70 to 80, which is remarkable.

“I’m sharp in my thinking, no longer have fatigue or sickness. There is a journey of recovery to go but I’m doing really well.”

The Gazette:

Josh, from Clydebank, added: “Our relationship was always close but going through something like this together naturally adds a new level.

“It has been such a joy and an absolute privilege to make a difference not just in Lois’ life but also her family.”

The Gazette:

Josh and Lois also praised their partners Erica and Craig, as well as the living donor and surgical teams at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow.

“We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts,” said Lois. “We are both so grateful and the care we both had and continue to receive is nothing other than phenomenal.”

To find out more about the living donor donation process, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk/become-a-living-donor.