Kind-hearted stranger donates kidney to save a mum's life after seeing Facebook plea

A mum suffering kidney failure has received a transplant thanks to her dad making a plea on Facebook.

Stacey Hewitt, 26, was facing a bleak future so her father Darren sent out the SOS in the search for a donor.

Louise Drewery, 37, was so moved by the message she decided to go under the knife – becoming the first British woman to donate a kidney to a stranger as a result of a Facebook plea.

Life-changing: Stacey Hewitt was facing a bleak future after suffering kidney failure

The transplant was a success and Stacey could feel the benefits immediately.

She said: “It’s amazing and I can’t thank Louise enough.

“She could have backed out at any moment. It takes a lot of guts to give an organ to someone you don’t know. It’s a nice bond we have now.”

Moved: Louise Drury donated her kidney to Stacey after seeing the Facebook appeal

Before the operation, Stacey was constantly tired and could only walk short distances as her kidneys failed.

Without a transplant she would have become very sick and require lifelong dialysis.

Her parents, who were not suitable donors, were fearful because the average waiting time for a transplant is three years.

Darren’s Facebook message said: “Good evening ladies and gents, is there anyone out there that would like to donate a kidney to help my daughter?”

Bond: Stacey said she is eternally grateful to Louise

He added: “She has kidney disease and needs a transplant as soon as possible. She is the mother of our three-year-old grandson and finds it hard to function properly because of the illness.”

The message soon spread. Recalling the reaction, Darren said: “Within seconds my inbox went mad.”

Mum-of-two Louise said one of the reasons she responded was because she was worried about Stacey’s son Alfie.

 

Life-limiting: Stacey found it difficult to function due to suffering kidney failure

Louise said: “My husband Nigel and I were just sitting one night having a glass of wine and we went on Facebook.

“When I saw the message I knew that if I could help, I would.”

After 13 months of tests, it was concluded that Louise, of Scunthorpe, Lincs, could donate a kidney to Stacey, who lives 70 miles north in Redcar.

 

Appeal: Stacey's dad Darren posted a plea on Facebook - and the response was incredible

Louise said: “People ask me if it’s for family or a friend, but they’re shocked when I say it’s for a total stranger. But Alfie is only little and deserves to have his mum.

"My biggest fear was not waking up [from the operation] and my kids being without a mum, when the reason I’m doing this is so another child isn’t living without a mum.”

Stacey’s grateful parents visited Louise before the transplant, with Darren calling her “an absolute hero”.

 

Under the knife: The surgery was carried out at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle

The op was carried out at the Institute of Transplantation at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Professor Derek Manas, director of the institute, said: “A lot of people just want to give to humanity and it has opened my eyes.

“It’s amazing that people are prepared to do this.”