Connected by a kidney 'WE'RE THE PERFECT MATCH!'

When rhythmic gymnast Katherine was facing end-stage renal failure, a stranger jumped at the chance to help

- Fleur Guthrie

They live in the same city, have the same long hair, share the same name - and now a kidney.

Just a year ago, Catherine West and Katherine Paton were strangers, but now they share a remarkable bond after Catherine generously donated her kidney to Katherine and saved her life.

In fact, they tell the Weekly they've skipped any awkwardness that new friendships often go through.

"We've gone straight to a really deep place of honest conversation and connection," says Catherine, from her home in West Auckland.

"We'll go from comparing our gnarly scars from the surgery to sharing how strong pain medication constipates you," she smiles.

The pair first met on social media when Catherine bought some earrings from Katherine's online jewellery business Kooky Boutique NZ. Then when following her Instagram page, she saw a post where Katherine shared about being in renal failure.

"So I sent a message saying, I've been trying to get rid of my kidney for ages. You can have mine!'" recalls Catherine.

"I had previously been tested and lined up to altruistically donate [give to a stranger] while living in England. Then I found out my grandma was terminally ill, so my husband and I made the decision to return to New Zealand, meaning I couldn't donate."

For Katherine, receiving such an offer was touching, but she never got her hopes up. As a former national representative rhythmic gymnast who was born with a genetic kidney issue, the 28-year-old had become used to being told that a potential donor didn't match.