A mother from Stockport who waited more than five years for a kidney donor has died after suffering a catastrophic bleed on the brain. Claire Boland, 34, passed away on April 4, just five months after making a desperate public appeal for a donor.
Claire was first diagnosed with type one diabetes at age eight, which led to kidney failure around seven years ago. Her rare blood type meant only two in every 10,000 people were compatible matches. Despite friends and family coming forward to be tested, none were suitable.
On March 29, while at bingo with her mother Deborah Kershaw, Claire complained of a severe headache, then her face drooped and she collapsed. Paramedics rushed her to Stepping Hill Hospital, where a scan revealed a quick, catastrophic bleed to the back of her brain. Doctors said surgery was not possible due to the location and extent of the bleeding.
Claire was placed on a ventilator and heavily sedated. Sedation was withdrawn on March 31, but she fought for four more days before passing away. It has not yet been confirmed whether the brain bleed was connected to her previous health conditions.
She leaves behind her husband Damien, daughters Ileana, two, and Elodie, 13, and her wider family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses and support her family, as Claire had no life insurance due to her illnesses.
