UEA medical student’s transplant journey inspires future in renal medicine

By: Communications

Three images show UEA medical student Alex Gibbs, in hospital after his transplant, in his badminton kit at the British Transplant Games and in his medical scrubs.

University of East Anglia medical student Alex Gibbs wants to use his experience of receiving a kidney transplant to help him to treat renal patients. Image credit: Alex Gibbs

A University of East Anglia medical student is turning years of personal experience as a kidney patient into a powerful motivation to pursue a career in renal medicine.

Alex Gibbs was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease at the age of four and underwent his second transplant earlier this year, after five years of needing dialysis to survive.

Now back on campus and restarting his second year of medical studies, the 22-year-old is determined to become the kind of doctor who truly understands what his patients are going through.

Championing organ donation

This week, September 22 to 28, also marks Organ Donation Week and Alex is urging others to talk to their families about their wishes.

While the UK now operates an opt-out system, family consent is still required for donation to go ahead.

Alex said: “There are over 8,000 people in the UK waiting for a transplant and over 270 are children.

“Even if you think your decision is clear, having that conversation with your loved ones could make all the difference.”

Alex, who is from Peterborough and attended Bourne Grammar School, received his first transplant when he was 10.

When that kidney failed during the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced the daunting prospect of dialysis and once again joining the transplant waiting list.

“A transplant is the light at the end of that dark tunnel,” he said. “It gave me hope while on dialysis that I could eventually return to a more normal life.”

Life beyond dialysis

Earlier this year, Alex underwent a successful surgery for his second kidney transplant through the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme.

His mother, although not a direct match, donated her kidney to another recipient so Alex could receive one in return.

He said: “By that logic, my mum is my donor. I’ll be forever grateful, and I have no intention of wasting such a precious gift.”

Thriving at UEA

Now progressing with recovery and restarting his second year of medical studies, Alex is thriving - both academically and personally.

He’s the newly elected President of UEA’s Badminton Club and recently won second place in badminton at the British Transplant Games, just five months post-op.

Alex credits UEA’s Disability and Wellbeing Team and Norwich Medical School’s Senior Advisors for their unwavering support throughout his health journey and said: “They helped even before I arrived at uni, all the way up to facilitating my recent transplant.

“My consultant at Addenbrooke’s has consistently looked out for my best interests, and has taught me a great deal in the process. He is the type of doctor I hope to be.

“I also owe a great deal to all the staff at the Norfolk and Norwich Kidney Centre who have treated me since I arrived in Norwich.

“They have kept me stable and healthy enough, whilst fully engaging with my studies, to be able to have the transplant, and then have such a simple recovery.”

From patient to future doctor

Alex’s experience has deepened his interest in renal and transplant medicine.

“I have spent so much time among kidney patients and I can relate to a lot of what these patients go through from my own history.

“Patients often say their doctors don’t understand what they’re going through. I want to be an exception to that complaint in my career.”

To register your organ donation decision, visit the NHS Organ Donation website – it only takes two minutes and you could save up to nine lives.

Students aged 16–30 can also join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register to help save lives of patients with blood cancer.

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