Oldest kidney donor, 84, saves son-in-law's life

An 84-year-old has become the oldest man in Britain to donate a kidney, according to the hospital that performed the operation.

Graham Sisson, 84, from High Peak in North Derbyshire donated a kidney at the Manchester Royal Infirmary to save the life of his 49-year-old son-in-law Ian Tonks, who needed the organ due to an autoimmune disease.

"I could see how rapidly Ian was deteriorating and I decided to step in and see if I could do the job," Graham told the BBC. "After speaking to the doctor, I never thought of my age as a consideration really."

Ian said there is "no gift in the world" that could match what his father-in-law did for him. "Without Graham, I would have died," he said.

Graham's son-in-law Ian first had a kidney transplant 12 years ago, but after six years he started having problems due to an autoimmune disease.

"My kidney began to decline rapidly," said Ian - who was on dialysis from 2018 until his transplant from Graham in November 2024.

"Dialysis puts a complete stop to your life," Ian said. " I could no longer work and my hobbies stopped.

"I have a classic car I like to work on and go for weekend drives with my partner, I'm a big Birmingham City fan and I enjoyed my work – but all of that ended because of my condition."

Ian was put on a waiting list for a second transplant, but said he faced a long wait because of high demand for organs.

"Lots of people said they would be open to donating, but it's daunting and they would understandably back out," Ian explained.

Ian's best friend, sister-in-law, and wife Helen, were all unable to help as they were incompatible for donation.

"That was when I got a call from Graham one Sunday night," he said.

Ian assumed that his father-in-law would be too old to donate but after months of tests, the pair arrived at Manchester Royal Infirmary where the transplant was undertaken.

Graham said he only thought of his age as a consideration during a discussion with a doctor about risk factors.

"I could see how incredibly ill he was and I wanted to help him get his life back," Graham said of his decision to call Ian and offer his kidney.

"His whole life revolved around dialysis.

"Many family members put themselves forward but couldn't donate for various reasons, so I put myself forward and the tests showed I was compatible.

"To make sure it was safe for both of us, I then had 11 months of tests.

"By this point he was so ill that if the operation had been delayed, he may well have run out of time."

"I was shell-shocked by Graham's decision," said Ian. "Total disbelief – he was so confident about wanting to do it.

"There is truly no gift in the world that matches what he did.

"To this day, my voice cracks whenever I talk about it, knowing how brave he has been for no other reason than to help me.

"It's unbelievable – the kindest thing a person has ever done for me."

Now, more than a year later, Ian said his life has been changed.

"I feel completely different to where I was before the transplants," Ian said. "I feel a lot more alive and alert. It's been unbelievable.

"It still feels incredible just to go to the toilet normally and not be tied to a machine.

"I can go anywhere - I watched Oasis at Heaton Park and have been to the football again.

"Even the little things in life are massive now. I can eat whatever I want and live a normal life."

Ian said without Graham, he would have died "within a matter of months".

"I was very poorly, gravely ill - continuously having infections and then having sepsis, and then being told I probably had 12 hours to live," Ian said.

"I've been suffering for 20 years. Without his unbelievable selflessness, I'd be gone.

"To be that age and do what he has done is incredible."

Of his donation, Graham said: "I did get an award from NHS Blood and Transplant as a Kidney for Life Hero and have a badge, which I wear with pride."

"Recovery was quick for me and I have carried on as normal," Graham added. "We've been to the cricket together and have gone to watch Derby County."

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