A DEVOTED brother from Worcester is donating a kidney to help his sister, despite recently overcoming his own battle against cancer.

Kieran Courtney was diagnosed with testicular cancer after flying over from his home in Italy to undergo compatibility tests to help save his sister Anna Courtney.

The family was devastated at the news, not only because Kieran was facing a life-threatening situation, but also because Anna desperately needed a transplant.

But, after numerous tests and operations, Kieran was given the all-clear and is now preparing to donate a kidney in an operation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham next Friday. If successful it will give Anna a chance at life.

"I'm so proud of them both and I love them so much," said the siblings' mother, Marian Courtney. "It's been a very traumatic six months for the whole family but we are now hopefully nearing the end."

Anna, of The Lyppards in Warndon Villages, was diagnosed with renal failure 12 years ago and is currently on dialysis.

Over the years she has deteriorated rapidly and now, without a kidney transplant, the 32-year-old mother-of-two would need haemo-dialysis, which enters the body through the neck.

She would never be able to live a normal life again.

So, when Kieran offered one of his kidneys at the beginning of this year, Anna and the family were delighted.

"It was great news," said Anna. "I couldn't thank him enough, but I wanted him to be sure."

Kieran flew over to England in May to begin the process of medical tests which determined he was a perfect match.

But tragedy struck, just as Kieran was about to fly back to his girlfriend in Italy, doctors confirmed he had testicular cancer.

"It was just awful. I almost felt like flying back without telling anyone," said Kieran. "I couldn't face the disappointment for Anna, and I just wanted to hide away."

But he stayed and the family rallied around supporting him through the operation, while at the same time reassuring Anna that another donor would be found.

Determined

"At that point the doctors and transplant co-ordinator were saying there was no way I could donate. But I was determined. I wanted to help Anna."

Within weeks he had an operation and Kieran was given the all-clear after six months.

And before long the family found themselves once again talking with the transplant co-ordinators who gave Kieran and Anna the go-ahead.

Mrs Courtney said: "It was such a relief. I never thought I would see two of my children wired up in hospitals, but on Friday it will be just that."

Anna is hoping that the operation will give her a new lease of life, enabling her to get back to work and live a normal life.

The siblings' father will fly over from Northern Ireland to be with them, and their four other brothers and sisters will also be supporting them.

Mrs Courtney said: "We want to encourage people to become live donors. It's so important and can make such a difference . If Kieran can get through cancer and still be a donor I'm sure many other people can also give someone the chance at life."

n If readers would like to register as an NHS organ donor, they can call 0845 606 0400 or log onto: www.uktransplant.org.uk.