THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2026

Photographs attached: Stacey Ross and Ryin Adam

NHS Tayside Supports Living Donation Week by sharing inspiring family story

NHS Tayside is supporting Living Donation Week which runs from 13-19 September by sharing a truly inspirational family story which has had life-changing results.

Stacey Ross, a Charge Nurse with the Tayside Sexual Health & Reproductive Health Service, made the extraordinary decision to donate one of her kidneys to her step-grandson, Ryin Adam, giving him the opportunity to enjoy a healthier future and a better quality of life.

Living donor kidney transplants can offer significant benefits for recipients, often allowing them to avoid or reduce time on dialysis and enjoy improved health and quality of life.

For Stacey, becoming a donor was not a decision taken lightly as the road to donation was not an easy one. Stacey underwent extensive assessments, scans and medical tests and conquering her lifelong fear of anaesthetics to ensure donation would be safe for both her and Ryin. In addition, Stacey also had to make significant lifestyle changes which resulted in her losing seven stone to make sure she was medically suitable to donate.

Stacey explained, “I can honestly say that making the decision to donate one of my kidneys to Ryin is one of the most important decisions of my life. When I learned that Ryin would need a kidney transplant, I wanted to find out if I could help. As a healthcare professional I understood the difference a successful transplant could make to someone's quality of life and was determined to see whether I could become a donor. My journey involved extensive assessment and preparation, including major lifestyle changes but I had the support of my family and friends which really made a difference.”

There are over 400 people waiting for a kidney donation in Scotland and over the last ten years 1000 people have received a living kidney donation. While many people associate organ donation with donation after death, living donation offers another way to transform lives and can often lead to better outcomes for recipients.

By raising awareness of Living Donation Week and sharing her story Stacey hopes her experience will encourage others to learn more about living kidney donation.

She added, "I had never known anyone who had donated and never even thought about it before. Many people don't realise that living donation is an option. The assessment process is thorough, and there is support at every stage and your wellbeing is always the priority. The transplant was successful and seeing the positive impact the transplant has had on Ryin has made every step of this journey worthwhile. I really hope that by sharing my story, others will have a conversation about donation and feel encouraged to find out more.”

Supporting donors like Stacey throughout every stage of their journey is Claire Moir, NHS Tayside's Living Donation Transplant Coordinator. Claire works closely with potential donors from their first enquiry through to assessment, surgery and recovery, ensuring they have the information, support and reassurance they need to make an informed decision.

Claire explains, “Living donation is a carefully planned process designed to protect both the donor and recipient. Potential donors undergo comprehensive medical and psychological assessments, with specialist teams ensuring they fully understand the implications of donation before proceeding.

"People are often surprised by the level of support available throughout the process. Donors are never under pressure and can change their mind at any point. Our role is to provide clear information, answer questions and ensure donation is both safe and appropriate for both the donor and the recipient.

“Many concerns people have about living donation are based on misconceptions. The assessment processes, long-term follow-up as well as the ongoing support help ensure donors can make informed choices about whether donation is right for them.

“Stories like Stacey and Ryin's demonstrate the incredible generosity of living donors and the profound difference donation can make. By raising awareness during Living Donation Week, we hope more people will understand what living donation involves and feel empowered to explore whether they could help a loved one or another person in need."

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138