CARING ROB TO GIVE KIDNEY TO HIS TWIN BROTHER
Warehouse worker to donate kidney to his twin
WAREHOUSE worker Rob Biddulph is preparing to undergo major surgery – to donate a kidney to his twin.
Brother Daniel has kidney failure and says his condition is getting worse.
But caring Rob, of Eaton Park, is ready to step in and make the donation to help Daniel, who would be put on dialysis if it wasn’t for his brother.
Daniel, who has suffered from kidney disease since he was 13, says he was ‘gobsmacked’ when Rob told him he’d help.
The duo also hope to raise awareness of the condition and collected hundreds of pounds during a fundraiser at Longton’s Ashwood pub to support Kidney Research UK.
Rob is now preparing for an operation to donate a kidney as Daniel’s only works at 13 per cent of its capacity. He will undergo the operation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on a date to be confirmed.
The 25-year-old, who works for Screwfix, said: “My brother has kidney disease and he’s going to have it for the rest of his life and it will deteriorate over time. He was diagnosed when he was 13.
“He will have it for the rest of his life and that’s why I want to donate my kidney. I just knew straight away that it was the right thing to do.
“I’m young and I spoke to the consultant and he said it’s the best match he’s seen in 30 years.
“I’m scared about the operation but it’s just the recovery time and I will still have a normal life. People have said I’m brave but my brother is the brave one.”
Daniel, of Chell Heath, who also works in the warehouse at Screwfix, said: “It’s overwhelming that he’s willing to do this and that he’s a perfect match.
“I was gobsmacked that he was willing to put himself through the wars to do this for me. He’s willing to risk himself to make me better.
“I was diagnosed at 13 and it’s deteriorated over the years. It makes my day-to-day life quite difficult. I get very tired during the day so I have to take naps to try and pick myself up a bit, I get tired very easily.
“The average waiting list for a kidney transplant is three to four years and my kidneys are still deteriorating so this is a critical stage. The risk of me going on to dialysis increases on a daily basis, so I can’t thank my brother enough.”
The fundraiser at the Ashwood saw an auction and a raffle take place where prizes included Stoke City shirts donated by footballers Charlie Adam and Tom Edwards. The event raised £3,000.
Daniel added: “It was a brilliant night and the money that was raised is a fabulous achievement. I chose Kidney Research UK because I wanted to give something back towards Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and I know the money will help the charity to continue their research.”