A woman from Derby has lost four stone in weight after being told she was too heavy to donate a kidney to her mother, who was critically ill with renal failure.
Devastating Diagnosis
Bethanie Thompson, 30, a stay-at-home mother and full-time carer for her son, was devastated when she learned that her mother Sarah Scally, 48, had been hospitalised with kidneys functioning at just 3%. Sarah had lost five stone in ten months without dieting and was given little chance of survival without a transplant.
The Weight Barrier
When Bethanie volunteered to donate one of her own kidneys, she was told she weighed 18 stone and was deemed too heavy for the life-saving procedure. She said: "I got told via letter that I was 'too big' to get the surgery. I said 'bollocks' to them. I didn't let it get to me and focused on the task at hand. I can change my weight, but my mum couldn't change her life without me."
Determined Action
Bethanie immediately signed up to Slimming World and joined a gym. Whenever she felt like giving up, she thought of her mother. In less than a year, she lost four stone, bringing her weight down to a level where the transplant could proceed.
The Transplant
In December 2025, the kidney transplant was carried out successfully. For the first time in four years, Sarah had colour in her cheeks and was able to eat normally. Bethanie described the moment as "unbelievable" and said she felt immense relief.
Life After Surgery
Bethanie is now determined to lose a further three stone and has adopted a sugar-free diet and active lifestyle. She said: "When I came into this journey, I didn't realise what kidney disease was. But I've seen first-hand what it does and how much it's rapidly affected my mum. It's taught me to appreciate the little things before it's too late."
Sarah, a hospice worker, called Bethanie her "earth angel," adding: "Until I got better, I hadn't realised just how ill I'd been. Bethanie has been selfless throughout and put her life on the line for me. I'm immensely proud of her."
Bethanie concluded: "I've only ever been bothered about my mum; it didn't matter what happened to me. But knowing I've saved her life, and that she's going to have many happy years with me and her grandkids, I couldn't be happier. And, in a way, I've saved my life, too."
