‘He’s my hero’: Preston dad’s life transformed after son donates kidney

A father from Fulwood has described his son as his “hero” after receiving a life- changing kidney transplant that has transformed his health and given him a new lease of life.

Mark Bond, 61, underwent a living donor kidney transplant in December 2025 after his eldest son Aaron Bond, 35, donated one of his kidneys.

Father of two Mark told the Post: “It's an amazing thing that he's done, you know, putting himself on the line for me to help me get through what was a terrible few years leading up to the operation and obviously now with having it done, it’s a new lease of life, really.”

Aaron, who lives in Ashton said: ”I just felt like it was the right thing to do. I wanted to do it for the family first and foremost and obviously, I didn't enjoy seeing my dad in the state that he was in so, anything that I could have done to have helped, I was willing and able and ready to go straight away, really.”

The transplant was carried out after Mark’s kidney function had fallen to just seven per cent, leaving him facing the prospect of life-limiting dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.

Now, several months on, both father and son have recovered well and returned to work, with Mark saying the operation has made him feel “20 years younger”.

Mark’s kidney problems first came to light around a decade ago when he began experiencing extreme fatigue.

Despite making major lifestyle changes and losing three stone, his kidney function continued to decline.

When doctors advised that he would need either dialysis or a transplant, several family members and friends came forward to offer to donate a kidney, including Mark’s wife and both sons. Aaron was found to be a suitable donor.

Mark, the Catering Manager at Chorley Golf Club said: “Before the transplant, I'd be, you know, just sleeping most of the day. I'd be tired. I'd be up and down six, seven times in the night. Whereas now, I get a good night's sleep, no problem. I can eat what I want. It's great. Even the next morning after having the transplant, you know, I just felt fantastic. I didn't feel tired at all, just ready to get out, really.

“The transplant has completely changed my life for the better. I immediately felt so much better. It made me realise just how ill I had become. My son has been amazing throughout. We were immensely close before, but now we’re even closer. As a boy he used to say I was his hero, but now the tables have turned. He’s my hero, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Aaron, a sales manager for Freckleton based plastics firm Polytank, recovered quickly following the operation and was back at work within three weeks.

He added: “When dad’s health started to deteriorate, I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to help. The testing process took time, but once I was told I was a match, it felt like the obvious thing to do. Seeing the difference the transplant has made to his life has been incredible. He’s enjoying life again and he’s able to do things that had become much harder over the years and as a family we have become even closer.

““It's been really, really nice to see him in a much improved state. He's got a better quality of life. He gets to spend more time with his wife, and me, and my brother, and his newborn granddaughter as well recently. So, everything went perfectly to plan. I can't fault any of the process, really.”

“People sometimes think donating a kidney is a huge sacrifice, but for me it was an opportunity to help someone I love.

“It's a very fulfilling thing to do, one of the proudest things that I think I've done in my lifetime so far and the hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary, looked after us incredibly well.

“The detail of the test to make sure that you're healthy enough to do it—they won't put you in any sort of danger.. From start to finish, I've been looked after, and I'll continue to get looked after now, following the transplant.

“ I’d encourage anyone who is considering living kidney donation to find out more about it. If you’re able to donate, you really can change someone’s life.”

Six people die each week in the UK waiting for a kidney transplant and over 7,000 people are currently waiting, and for many patients a living donor transplant offers the best outcomes and can significantly reduce time spent on dialysis.

Mark and Aaron are sharing their story to raise awareness of living kidney donation, particularly through the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation, which offers information, resources and one-to-one peer support to anyone considering becoming a donor.

Jan Shorrock, a spokesperson for the Robert Dangoor Partnership for Living Kidney Donation, said: “Mark and Aaron’;s story is a powerful example of the life-changing impact that living kidney donation can have, not only for the recipient but for entire families.

“Every year, thousands of people across the UK are waiting for a kidney transplant, and many are unaware that it is even possible to donate a kidney while living. We are incredibly grateful to people like Aaron and Mark for sharing their experiences. By raising awareness, we hope more people will learn about living kidney donation, have important conversations with loved ones, and consider whether they could help transform someone else’s future.”

For more information and support around living kidney donation, visit www.donateakidney.co.uk