Mummy’s Boy
When Sabet Choudhury heard his mother might have just three years to live after her kidneys failed and that it could take up to 10 years to find a suitable donor, the BBC Points West presenter did not hesitate to donate one of his own. The 41 year old’s mother, Sakina, who is of Bangladeshi origin, became ill during Christmas 2013 and was soon having to use a dialysis machine three times a week. To improve her quality of life, she needed a transplant but, according to the NHS, to have a higher chance of success the donor and recipient need to be of a similar ethnic background. There is however a major mismatch between supply and demand among ethnic communities in the UK hence a very long waiting list for patients from ethnic minorities. Mr Choudhury decided to tip the odds back in his mother’s favour. The operation took place at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in November 2014. Sakina is doing well and according to Sabet looks “almost 10 years younger”. Three cheers for giving mum a new lease of life.