Gordon and Harry Wilson share their story of brotherly love and organ donation, echoing a historic transplant from 1960
Today marks 65 years since the first successful kidney transplant was carried out at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, heralding a new era of life-saving organ donation in the UK.
Since that pioneering moment, over 2,000 living donor kidney transplants have taken place in Scotland.
A significant percentage of kidney transplants in Scotland come from living donors — including in the case of Gordon Wilson (67) from Torphichen, who received a second chance at life thanks to his brother, Harry Wilson (65) from Broxburn.
Gordon, a retired labourer, first became aware of kidney issues during a routine optician’s appointment and was later diagnosed with kidney disease. As his condition worsened, he required daily dialysis treatments.
“My spare room was taken over with all of this equipment and I had to stay on dialysis from 7pm to 2am every day,” Gordon recalled.
“I couldn’t fault the team that helped with my treatment, but it was incredibly challenging — uncomfortable and hard to sleep with the machinery beeping.”
During an appointment at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Gordon was told he would need a kidney transplant to save his life. “I got a coffee and sat in my car trying to process the news. My brother Harry was the first person I phoned and he immediately said, ‘Have mine.’ That made me well up.”
Harry, a retired plumber, remembers the moment clearly: “I’d watched my brother on dialysis and it was killing him, and me, because I hated to see him like that. So, when Gordon phoned to say he needed a transplant, it was a no-brainer. Even if it had been a 50/50 chance of survival, I’d have taken that risk for my brother.”
“It’s brilliant to see Gordon now back to his old self and living a life without relying on dialysis.”
Gordon added: “I’m so grateful to Harry, and the only way I think I can ever repay him is to take really good care of this kidney — and perhaps I’ll buy him a pint!”
Remarkably, 65 years earlier — the year Harry was born — the UK’s first successful kidney transplant was also carried out between two brothers.
Lewis Abbott (50), facing just six months to a year to live, received a kidney from his twin brother Martin, who made the decision in a split second. Martin was quoted at the time saying, “What’s mine is his,” before joking, “I reckon Lewis owes me a dram and a pint for all the bother, don’t you?”
The groundbreaking operation was performed by Sir Michael Woodruff and his team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, marking a major milestone in medical history. Dr Francis, the hospital superintendent at the time, praised the team’s efforts, saying: “They have a sporting chance of pulling it off if we get a clear run.”
John Terrace, Consultant Transplant Surgeon at NHS Lothian, said: “It’s fantastic to reflect on the advances in transplant surgery over the last 65 years and that it all began at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
“It’s really incredible to think of all the lives touched by kidney transplants in Scotland — not just recipients and donors, but their friends and family too.
“Gordon and Harry’s story is one of true brotherly love. We are thrilled to see such a positive outcome for Gordon, all thanks to Harry giving him the gift of life. Their journey is testament to the transformative impact of living kidney donation.”
Learn more about organ donation in Lothian:
https://www.nhslothian.scot/healthinformation/organ-donation
