A MOTHER is preparing to donate her kidney to a complete stranger, in order to save her brother’s life.

Michelle Brooke from Abbey Meads has signed up to the pairs exchange donor scheme, to help her younger brother Anthony who is in chronic kidney failure.

Under the terms of the scheme, Michelle will donate her kidney to someone else, whose partner will in turn donate their healthy kidney to her brother. Paired kidney transplant ensures that recipients get the best match for them and occurs when a living kidney donor is incompatible with the recipient.

Michelle, 33, said she was fully prepared to donate her kidney to improve her brother’s quality of life.

“The way I see it it’s just as if I am donating my kidney to him. It’s there, I’m healthy, and I’ll get a healthy brother in return,” she said.

Michelle was set to donate a kidney to her 28-year-old brother but tests showed the siblings have different blood types, making a straightforward transplant impossible.

The mother-of-two said she was crushed when she was told she was not a match.

“I was disappointed because I’d built it up, but with this scheme I feel like I can still donate to my brother and help with his recovery,” Michelle said.

Anthony from Redhouse was born with reflux, which damages and causes heavy scarring to kidneys. Last year his already depleted kidney function dropped from 25 percent to two percent and he went into renal failure.

He now has dialysis- where toxins are removed from the blood using a machine – three times a week for four hours at a time.

The trader said he remains optimistic about his treatment and is thankful for Michelle’s support.

“I have good and bad days, I’m quite a positive person anyway but it’s not ideal. I don’t expect anything so then I’m grateful for what does come and what Michelle is doing is amazing."

The family have a strong history of renal problems, Michelle’s seven-year-old Jack has only one functioning kidney while the pair’s father Steve also has decreased kidney function.

“My saving grace is that I’m a girl, I’m not affected by it. I’m ready and my kidney is good to go,” Michelle said.

“If Anthony gets a kidney from a deceased donor, it may only last 10 years, but if he gets one from a living donor, it could last for 20, maybe even 30 years.

“People think you can sign up for an organ donation to take place when you’ve died but Anthony’s chances are so much greater when you think about living donation.”

The pair are now waiting for October 1 where they will be told if they have found a suitable pair to match with.

Michelle said: “We try and stay positive, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to look a bit harder for it.”

To find out more about living donation visit kidneyresearchuk.org or contact your doctor.