Talk by Andy Demaine
My Kidney and Me
A half century journey overcoming kidney failure
Andy grew up in Torquay enjoying boats and the sea but in 1969 at the age of 12 he was struck down with acute kidney failure.
His often harrowing story revolves around his care locally at Torbay and Exeter and his chance introduction by Dr Harry Hall to Professor Roy Calne from Cambridge.
Professor Calne took on his case at a time when under 18s were not even considered for transplantation.
Andy overcame innumerable odds to study Biochemistry at Leeds and then worked in the Tissue Typing lab at Guys under Dr Ken Welsh who hm to pursue a career in molecular biology and renal research.
Having gained his PhD, Andy was invited to set up molecular biology research at Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry from whence he was head-hunted by the University of Plymouth to help set up a new medical school in the SW Pensinsula.
Hold on to your seats to hear the full story of what happened over half a century ago, which includes a French Connection style chase from Torquay to Cambridge to meet the kidney that saved his life!
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