Tweed dad gives son his kidney

James Shugg and son Nicholas are looking forward to a very special Father’s Day.

Blainey Woodham

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THIS Father's Day will be very special for James Shugg and son Nicholas, even though the father will be the one giving the gift.

But it is no ordinary present.

Mr Shugg will give his son the chance to lead a normal life by donating one of his kidneys.

By a quirk of fate, the operation's date has fallen on the day after Father's Day, and for Mr Shugg there would be no better way to celebrate this year.

Nicholas was born with serious kidney problems and has battled the side-effects his entire life.

A new kidney will improve his quality of life dramatically.

For Mr Shugg, the opportunity to help his son in such a way is very special.

“I feel I am lucky to have had the opportunity to do this,” he said. “It is the greatest achievement of my life.”

Three generations of Shugg men will celebrate Father's Day together, and James hopes that will be repeated in 20 years time.

“One day, in 20 years, I am hoping my father is still alive and four generations will be able to meet. Nick will have had the opportunity to get Father's Day presents from his own kids.”

The goal for the family was always to keep Nick off dialysis, which involves being hooked up to a machine for six hours a day, three days a week.

“That is not a life anyone should have, whether they are 11 or 80, or any age in between,” Mr Shugg said.

Nick's mum Melissa was also eligible to donate, but they decided Mr Shugg was the better candidate.

Mr Shugg hopes his story will encourage other people to give their organs, because through study he has found Australia has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the world.

“For all the Nicholases out there, there are about 1000 people on the waiting list and only about 500 get a kidney every year,” he said.

He likened a body to a vehicle for the soul and, “why not let someone take some spare parts off it”?

Mr Shugg said he was going into the operation with a clear mind and an open heart, knowing the odds were on his and Nicholas's side

He admits he is scared, but not fearful.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” he said.

The whole process had been enlightening and had given him an insight into his health at 40 years old not many others get, however, his journey is nothing compared with his son's.

“At the end of the day, my personal journey pales in the face of Nick's. His journey so far and what he faces in years to come,” he said. “It is the gift of life I am giving him and I would hope anyone else would do the same thing if they were faced with the same situation.”

Mr Shugg has made contact with another living organ donor, Currumbin Waters man Ray Willox, who donated a kidney to his daughter five years ago.

Mr Willox said his experience of organ donation had also brought him an enormous pleasure.

“I was lucky enough to be able to give a kidney to Andrea, my daughter, in October 2005; being able to make this organ donation proved to be a most rewarding and enjoyable experience,” he said.

Since he gave Andrea a kidney, she has received her heavy vehicle operator's licence and works in the construction industry driving cranes.

“She has gone on to become a productive contributor to society, instead of being a financial burden on the medical system.”