Last year Alex Wakeford’s older brother Shane, 31, started gruelling rounds of kidney dialysis having battled kidney disease since he was 25. In May a doctor delivered some startling news.

“He said the best treatment to get Shane off dialysis was a kidney transplant,” Alex said.

“Over the years I’d watched Shane struggle and then rapidly decline on dialysis. He had no energy and was having dialysis bag changes four times a day. So as scary as it was thinking about donating, I knew I had to help him. I decided to get tested to see if I could be a donor for Shane.”

But the 29-year-old Tura Beach lad was told by his doctor that if he was going to donate a kidney he needed to lose weight.  

“I weighed 99kg and was sporting a gut. To donate I needed to be as healthy as possible. And I’d be placing a lot of strain on one kidney if I was overweight and unhealthy. I could end up jeopardising my own life.”

Alex says his weight gain slowly crept up on him.

“I’d always been a fit person, regularly playing sport, but I got lazy about my eating. My portion sizes were getting larger and larger – like my waistline.” 

Alex came back as a positive kidney match and the operation was set for July 26. He had just a few months to get in shape.

He came across TDGfit and followed the nine-week fitness and nutrition program. By the time Alex and Shane were wheeled into theatre for the transplant, Alex was down to 84kg again.

Now seven months later Shane is the picture of health. Recently the brothers went fishing and did a 4km walk – something they’d not done together in years.

As for Alex, he says living with one kidney feels no different and he is healthier than he’s been in years.

“The main thing that has changed is I drink a lot less than I use to.”

Alex says it still feels pretty surreal to have helped save his brother’s life.

“It’s brought us closer together and I’m chuffed at the way it turned out for both of us. Donating a kidney saved my brother’s life but it also saved me too.”

Alex says he couldn’t have done it without the support of his family, friends, the Sapphire Coast community and the community in Jindabyne where the brothers grew up. 

“I particularly want to thank the Jindabyne Rugby Club, they held a large fundraiser for us and were very supportive.” 

Alex is now encouraging everyone to become an organ donor to give someone else a second chance. 

“Please go to www.donatelife.gov.au/, read up and become a donor.”