Cardiac nurse receives life-changing kidney transplant thanks to colleague’s extraordinary gift

A specialist cardiac nurse at Harefield Hospital has received a life-changing kidney transplant thanks to the extraordinary support of her manager, who volunteered to become a donor.

For years, 51-year-old Charis Browne had lived with IgM nephropathy, a kidney condition diagnosed shortly after the birth of her first son. Although her illness was successfully managed for 17 years, she was told in 2023 that her kidney function had declined to the point where she would need a transplant.

As Charis’ health deteriorated, family members explored the possibility of donating a kidney, but unfortunately, they were not eligible to donate. Reflecting on this time, Charis said: “I started to panic a bit, I’ve always been someone that’s been very in control and for the first time in my life, I was running out of options. I didn’t want dialysis, but I have children and they need me and I was just starting to think, is this it? Am I going to be someone who doesn’t get to see their 51^st birthday?”

Watching her colleague go through this incredibly difficult time and witnessing Charis’ health steadily decline was Emma Neves, lead nurse for familial hypercholesterolaemia and lipid management and Charis’ team manager. She made the bold decision to see whether she could be a donor and, without telling Charis, she underwent testing to see if she was eligible.

53-year-old Emma, said: “I started making enquiries in the background, I didn’t want to get Charis’ hopes up. I didn’t want her to have to deal with another disappointment if I wasn’t able to donate. When I found out I could, I was delighted.”

Although Emma was not a direct match, she was suitable for kidney donation and was able to join the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme alongside Charis. The scheme matches donor and recipient pairs with other compatible pairs, helping more people receive life-saving transplants.

When Emma eventually shared the news, Charis was overwhelmed. “When Emma told me she was willing to be a donor, I was completely blown away,” said Charis. “I was in shock. It’s a very big thing for someone to give you a kidney. A thank you is not really going to cover it.”

Just 7 months later, Charis and Emma were matched with another donor-recipient pair, and in July 2025 they both underwent operations at Hammersmith Hospital. Emma’s operation took place first, and her first thought when she gained consciousness was of Charis. “I couldn’t properly relax until I heard that Charis’ operation had gone well too.”

Following their operations, the pair spent 2 days in HDU, side by side. Charis recalls waking up and seeing Emma next to her. “When I woke up from the operation, Emma was next to me, which was incredibly comforting. And she helped me with my recovery. We spent 2 nights together on the HDU, I really missed being with her when she was discharged.”

Fellow colleague and specialist nurse Lorraine Priestley-Barnham said: “Although we were stunned at first to find out that Emma was going to donate a kidney to Charis, we weren’t surprised. It makes you really stop and think that’s what kindness and humanity really is. We are a team that looks out for each other, and Emma, through her leadership, has created a culture of kindness and compassion.”

Throughout this time, Emma and Charis’ nursing colleagues rallied around them, putting together gift boxes and matching pyjamas before their hospital admissions and providing ongoing emotional support throughout their recovery. Colleague Lorraine said: “We were in awe of them both. They are amazing.” Emma added that the support of the wider team was invaluable, crediting them with keeping everything running smoothly in their specialist cardiac clinic while they were away, describing it as a “true team effort.”

Their friendship and connection only deepened during their post-op recovery at home. The pair checked in every day, meeting for walks and supporting one another as they regained their strength. Charis said: “We now have such a unique bond. Emma’s not my sister but I feel like we are almost connected in some way. There will always be a special place in my heart for Emma, what she has done for me is extraordinary.”

Today, Charis is enjoying a dramatic improvement in her health. Prior to having the transplant, she found it difficult to get through the day without resting, and would be very fatigued. “A year on from my kidney transplant I can honestly say it’s given me a totally new lease of life. Every day seems more manageable and full of possibilities. I feel like I have my life back and can plan for a future, I never thought possible.”

Once Emma, who recently became a grandmother, had made her mind up to help Charis, she never faltered. Emma, who describes herself as ‘fiercely stubborn when I’ve made a commitment’ said that she would have done the same for any of the team and she now hopes that their story will encourage more people to consider organ donation. “I was so fortunate to be healthy enough to donate,” she said. “The teams at Hammersmith Hospital were amazing and supported me every step of the way. If sharing our story encourages even one person to think about becoming a donor, it will be worth it.”

Both have since made an excellent recovery and have returned to work together caring for cardiac patients. Today, the pair continue to work side by side, united by an experience that neither will ever forget.

Lisa Burnapp, Associate Medical Director for Living Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

“It is wonderful to hear that Charis has received a living donor kidney through the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme (UKLKSS), thanks to the generosity of her colleague. We are always inspired by the generosity of people who offer to donate an organ- either as a living donor or after their death. It is thanks to them that lives are saved and transformed every day for people waiting for a transplant. 

“To date, more than 2,300 people have been transplanted through the UKLKSS. With the UK transplant waiting list at a record high, over 8,500 people waiting for an organ transplant and almost 7,000 of that number waiting for a kidney, the role of living donation and the UKLKSS is critically important. Currently, 1 in 3 transplants in the UK is made possible by a living donor. Anyone can volunteer to be considered as a living donor -  family member, friend, colleague or complete stranger.

“Living donation is not for everyone but the one thing everybody can do to help all of those waiting for a transplant is to confirm their donation decision should they die in circumstances where they can donate. It takes just two minutes to confirm a donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and can save up to 9 lives.”

www.organdonation.nhs.uk