Mark Bond, a 61-year-old former professional golfer and club manager from Preston, Lancashire, has received a life-changing kidney transplant from his son Aaron, bringing them closer than ever.
A Health Crisis Unfolds
In 2013, at age 49, Bond began feeling tired and was diagnosed with low kidney function. He overhauled his diet, lost four stone, and took up walking and cycling. Despite his efforts, by 2016 his kidney function had dropped to 23%, and by 2022 it had fallen to just 15%.
Bond suffered from nephropathy, kidney damage caused by high blood pressure, which he attributes to past weight gain and years of taking ibuprofen for a bad back. He was told he would need a transplant and faced the prospect of dialysis, which he refused four times.
A Family's Sacrifice
Nine family members and friends volunteered to be tested for living kidney donation. Both sons, Aaron, 35, and Zack, 32, were perfect matches, but Aaron insisted on donating, saying it “just felt like the obvious thing to do.”
Mark describes Aaron as “an absolute hero” who “given me my life back.” Aaron, a sales manager, said, “Growing up my dad was my superhero. I idolised him as a child and teenager... I had no hesitation about donating a kidney.”
The Transplant and Recovery
After an initial cancellation due to dehydration, the transplant took place on December 10 at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Aaron donated his left kidney, and Mark’s new kidney was placed on the right side. Mark spent five hours in theatre and had a reaction to morphine, requiring critical care, but recovered quickly.
Mark was discharged after six days and enjoyed a full Christmas lunch two weeks later. His kidney function is now at 91%, and he has since celebrated his wife’s 60th birthday with a holiday in Iceland and welcomed his first grandchild, Savanna Belle Bond.
“It is phenomenal how my life has turned around from being at ‘death’s door’ to being ‘pops’,” Mark said. “Life couldn’t be better and it is all down to my amazing son. He is the real superhero.”
