Frankie spent eight years on dialysis.
It took some time to realise how serious his plight was if a suitable donor could not be found
His mum Francis said they had thought a kidney would be readily available.
It was then that Marrise came forward
Frankie was at his lowest point when his sister decided to be his kidney donor.
He had spent two weeks in hospital and feared dying.
“He was a pain in the butt,” said his sister.
“What do I have to do to get you out of my house,” she joked.
“Give me your kidney,” replied Frankie.
“Oh oh, done!” she said.
Marrise made changes to her lifestyle in the 12 months before she presented her brother with the ultimate gift.
Francis said she had fears about her daughter donating one of her kidneys.
“You need your kidney, but you were fine.”
Frankie, his sister and mum are all elated at his state of health today.
“Everything's healing slowly,” he said
“My energy's still building up slowly.
“It's like an extra grain of sand every day.”
Frankie says he loves the freedom of his lifestyle today.
“I can move around, walk down town, do my own shopping and walk home.”
Marrise said they all learned a lot during Frankie's tough times.
Frankie said he learned about self control.
“Don't go back to boozing and smoking.
“If you do that, it's a waste of time.
“It's all good so far.”
Brother and sister also credit the power of faith for Frankie's recovery.
The two become born-again Christians. Francis has always been a Christian.
“The Lord got rid of everything,” said Frankie.
“I put my faith in medicine for years and suddenly I changed to putting my faith in God.
“He helped me more — with my mind and my heart.
“Now I could clear my head.
“I went through a lot of depression.”
It's been 15 years of good life for Frankie after spending 15 years “in and out of hospital”.
“My ambition is to start running.”
He still takes a lot of medication but “they're starting to cut them down”.
All three members of the Boyd whanau decided to jointly approach the Herald to promote awareness of the life-changing and life-saving impact of kidney transplants, and other organ transplants.
But they have a major concern.
The process of organ donation needs to be better organised and promoted by the health sector, they say.
The Boyd whanau only have to think of their own situation.
Francis' mokopuna were killed in a car accident in the South Island while Frankie was waiting for his transplant.
Her 25-year-old grandson had indicated on his driver's licence that he was willing to be an organ donor.
But the thoughts and emotions of the Boyd whanau at that time were all about their deceased relative, not for Frankie.
“We were in mourning,” said Marrise.
“We were dealing with the pain of his sudden death,” said Francis.
“Only months later did we realise he was a donor.”
The family could not find any organisation responsible for organ donation co-ordination.
Police and the then Land Transport Safety Authority have no legal responsibility or obligation.
The Boyds believe there needs to be a structure or organisation to establish a practical donor service with a high profile which reaches out to families in need.
There should be a role for hospitals and a relationship with families.
In 2020, thanks to the generosity of 64 deceased organ donors and their families, 186 people were able to receive life-saving and life-changing heart, lung, liver, kidney or pancreas transplants
But the Boyd whanau is calling for more donors.
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