A KIDNEY transplant saved not only Simon George s life but his father s life too. When Simon, 39, who runs Thames Translations in Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, was told he was running out of time and needed to find a donor, his dad Graham, a chief examine

A KIDNEY transplant saved not only Simon George's life but his father's life too.

When Simon, 39, who runs Thames Translations in Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, was told he was running out of time and needed to find a donor, his dad Graham, a chief examiner in physics, stepped in straightaway to offer himself.

But medical checks revealed Graham, aged 66, of Piggotshill Lane, Harpenden could not act as donor as he had prostate cancer and was rushed into hospital for an emergency eight-hour operation just before Christmas last year.

Graham said: "The surgeon told me that, although I had gone there hoping to save my son's life, I had in fact saved my own."

Simon's mum Jenny, a chiropodist, said: "I didn't volunteer initially as I am a real coward about medical stuff and hate hospitals.

"But I am just so glad that Graham's cancer was picked up as the consultant told me it would have been too late if it had been left much longer."

Luckily, Jenny was a perfect match for Simon and both mother and son are doing well after the kidney she gave him was transplanted into his body back in May at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Simon was first diagnosed with kidney disease four years ago and would have gone to the bottom of a very long queue if his mother had not volunteered.

Simon, who lives with his wife Sally and their two daughters Jemma, aged eight, and Alice, six, in Harpenden, said: "I am so grateful to my mother for doing this. I am still not quite out of the woods yet but she has given me a great chance to get my life back. It has brought the whole family closer."

Jenny, who is in her mid-60s, said: "It's been quite a year."

To sign up for the NHS Organ Donor Register and help ensure your organs help others after your death, either visit the website at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call the NHS Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23.