A WOMAN from Cwmbran is hoping that donating her kidney to a stranger will leave someone 'feeling one million dollars.'
Bev Jones, 47, decided to donate one of her kidneys despite not knowing anyone that needed a transplant, and hopes that by talking about her decision, she can inspire more people to consider it.
"I had a flyer come through the door and thought that it was something I could do," she said.
"It is a bit crazy really. I just thought: ‘Yeah, why not?’. I had no personal motivation for it - they class it as an altruistic donation."
She signed up to become a donor last year, with her first appointment taking place on April 28, 2018.
"The first appointment was gauging why I wanted to do it," she said.
"From there, there were blood tests, a session on a treadmill – I even had 2.5 hours with a psychologist.
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"After I decided to do it, there was no way I was going to change my mind.
"I would’ve been devastated if they found something that meant I couldn’t go through with it. "
Mrs Jones went under the knife on Monday, April 8.
"Along the process I came in to contact with people who had needed transplants," she said.
"I was on a ward with these three other ladies.
"One of the ladies had two kidney transplants, and had also previously had both of her legs amputated.
"Her kidneys are now functioning well.
Bev Jones following her operation to donate a kidney. Picture: Bev Jones.
"She was still really positive and was always making jokes. She was an inspiration.
"She said how grateful she felt after her dad and brother had donated their kidneys to her.
"It really puts in to perspective how lucky we are. It made me even more proud to do what I was doing."
Mrs Jones said she doesn't know who received her kidney, but hopes that they get in touch.
"Hopefully the recipient of my kidney gets in touch, I would like that," she said.
"In my mind, I am hoping that someone out there is now feeling a million dollars.
"If it inspires one person out there to think about doing it, then that is my goal."
A keen runner, Mrs Jones said: "It's 12 weeks of recovery.
"For someone who’s life is usually 100mph - it has been a challenge."
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