Lurgan man meets kidney recipient Amy Smith one year later

Stephen Topping, inspired by his granddaughter, donated a kidney to Amy Smith, a stranger, a year ago. The meeting took place in Lurgan, where Amy traveled from south-west England to meet Stephen and his family. This emotional encounter marked a significant milestone in their lives, as Amy expressed her gratitude for receiving a kidney that allowed her to return to a normal life, free from reliance on a machine. She emphasized the importance of kidney donation, highlighting that one kidney can save many lives. The Topping family celebrated this reunion with a party, where Stephen's granddaughter Georgia was present. Although she has not needed a transplant, she appreciates her grandfather's altruistic act, which was motivated by her health situation. Georgia described the experience of speaking to Amy for the first time as surreal, reflecting the deep emotional connection formed through this life-saving donation. In Northern Ireland, the introduction of Daithí’s law in 2023 has made most adults potential organ donors after death unless they opt out. This law encourages living donations, as seen in Stephen's case, where he became an altruistic donor. The region has a high percentage of willing donors, with over half the population signed up on the NHS Organ Donor Register, indicating a strong community commitment to organ donation. As of June 2024, there were 166 patients on the organ transplant waiting list in Northern Ireland, with 85 specifically waiting for kidney transplants. This highlights the ongoing need for organ donors and the impact that living donors like Stephen can have on the lives of recipients like Amy.