Pearl’s Blog

Happy World Kidney Day!

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My beloved friends,

Yes, today is WKD (nothing to do with the drink) and it's a day for people to learn about and pay attention to their kidneys, for a lot of reasons.

I also want to share this today because it's very important to me personally, and because there are two pieces of really good news in here:-

1) Today my brother is a happy, healthy recipient of a kidney transplant.

2) Almost everyone reading this can do something wonderful today and become a donor – either by registering to be a donor after your death (saving your family from having to make that decision), giving something now (like blood) or taking a swab inside your cheek and going on the bone marrow donor list or, in extreme cases, considering being a donor for a loved one or even a stranger.

And I wanted to share something that a lot of people don't know about me. I used to have short hair – as you can see from the cover of this, my first non-fiction book, which I published ten years ago in 2010. Oh yes, and I gave my brother a kidney.

This book was the first book written by a living kidney donor in the UK when it was released, and I had to finish it after writing in to a newspaper to correct some inaccuracies in a story about kidney donation. I was then inundated with emails asking for advice. Heart rending emails, many of them. I can't share some of the stories, but I would not have believed what came out of writing that letter, or this book. I am humbled by so many of the comments and messages I have received.

The thing is that what you see in dramas about kidney transplantation and dialysis is far from the truth, and it was important for me to share the truth back then, so important, because there was so much I didn't know going into it, and it took me to some of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life.

I give this book away for free as an eBook – and for those of you who are into publishing I'll let you into a secret – the cheaper your book, the worse your reviews will be, and I've had some stinkers for this book. People say I've scared them and my reactions were immature, well, it is scary, and when you're dealing with basic bodily functions, it does get a bit immature.

But I want to share a few of the ones which have made me cry (in a good way) over the years, and I’d say, if you are thinking of writing a book, giving a kidney or sharing something else marvellous, then trust your heart - when you give away in a spirit of love, life rushes in. There were so many tricky moments before, during and after, but to be given the opportunity to do something like this for someone you love is just such a privilege, such an honour.

When you give a kidney there are so many rules and regulations to make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons, not being pressured into it, not being paid, and then afterwards, it feels like people forget, that there's no honour left in it (like an old soldier whose sacrifice is sneered at), and then there is a comment, or a look, and you know it was never forgotten and you see it all again from another perspective and know you are part of a great miracle.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wee-Wound-Worries-Experience-Kidney/dp/1446632873

“Having read your book this morning online, you have given me so much hope and the reason to keep going now. I cried loads… and then I laughed out loud at some of the expressions you used. You are an inspiration to me already.”

“Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you. I have just read your book… found it very informative… and funny too - couldn’t help sniggering at some bits!”

Lots of love, Pearl x

P.S. And here is my latest book, "Pearl Escapes Fear of Success" – now available in hardback, and here is the video about how you can get your own personalised copy.