My kidney and me.

This programme follows Tom Cledwyn, a 26 year old from London, who feels compelled to be an altruistic donor; giving away a kidney to a complete stranger. The documentary begins with Tom on the phone to the Living Donor Transplant Co-ordinator Magnus Roseke who informs Tom he is compatible for an altruistic kidney donation. Tom discusses what it means to be an altruistic donor, how he first heard about the process and what compels him to do it. Mr Nizam Mamode, a consultant transplant surgeon, at Guy’s Hospital explores some of the reasons people become altruistic donors, and identifies a need for attention, a desire to feel good about themselve and a genuinely altruistic motive. At King’s Hospital Tom admits to Roseke that the identity of recipient wouldn’t affect his choice or the feeling he would have afterwards. Tom’s friends mention how this has put pressure on those around him who want to support him, but also don’t want him to go through with it. Due to the anonymous nature of the process his girlfriend Claudia finds it difficult to feel good for the recipient of the organ donation. Tom’s family acknowledge it his choice, however his mother reveals her fear that this may leave him vulnerable in the future. She also worries that by letting him go through with this she is not being a good mother. She thinks age is an important factor in the choice and feels he is too young. Tom admits he feels bad for putting loved ones in a difficult position. His best friend Ben points out that the majority of people who oppose this are over 35, and he argues there maybe something in their life experience to warrant this objection. Furthermore Ben thinks Tom might be doing this to make up for the loss of a best friend. On the day of the operation Tom is in Guy’s Hospital waiting room with his mother, sister and girlfriend and he admits to the camera this is the first time he has felt scared. The Consultant Transplant Surgeon at Guy’s hospital, Mr Rajinder Singh, talks through the procedure and explains the left kidney will be removed as it has longer veins. There are shots of Tom on the operating bed, being prepped and anaesthetised. There are obscured shots of the operation including footage from a fibre optic camera that has been inserted inside Tom. The removed kidney is then washed, placed in a bag and couriered out of hospital. Three weeks later Tom reflects on the irony of trying to do something for someone because he doesn’t know or love them, and as a result he can’t give a kidney to someone he does love.