Mum gave me kidney 50 years ago.. now it's 108

Medics stunned by longevity of donated organ

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

A PENSIONER whose kidney is 108 years old has celebrated the 50th anniversary of her lifesaving transplant operation. 

Sue Westhead, 75, was 25 years old when her mother Ann Metcalfe donated the organ to her.

Sue began to feel unwell at 12 years old and was on dialysis by the time she had the life-changing surgery in July 1973.

Ann died in 1985 at the age of 69 after giving her daughter the opportunity to lead a "fulfilled life".

The organ's longevity has stunned medics as a transplanted kidney usually only lasts for up to 20 years.

Sue said: 'When I had my transplant, I thought I would be extremely lucky if I got five years.

"The 50 years are thanks to our wonderful National Health Service, my mother and her genes. I would like to stress what amazing treatment I have had from the NHS. I certainly wouldn't be here today without it."