A doting Coventry dad is giving his daughter the greatest gift of all this Christmas - a new kidney.
Chanel Wakelin, 24, suffered renal failure in September and was told a donor was needed.
Without a matching donor she would have to undergo a gruelling dialysis regime.
Dad Gary, aged 44, immediately offered a kidney which turned out to be a perfect match.
Today the pair, who live in Woodway Park, Coventry, are heading to hospital for the vital operation.
It means they will be in hospital over Christmas - but they both know it will be change Chanel’s life forever.
Hairdresser Chanel said: “It’s the greatest gift I could have ever wished for.’’
He did not hesitate to come forward when she suffered renal failure in September and a donor was needed.
Today, the father and daughter from Coventry are heading to the city’s University Hospital for the life-changing four hour operation.
The pair will spend Christmas Day and possibly the new year in hospital recovering from surgery.
Lorry driver Gary said: “I was calling the doctors every day – all I could think about was getting it done as quickly as possible.
"When they told me there was a slot available two days before Christmas we jumped at the chance.
“If we hadn’t taken that one we would have to wait until March.”
The father-of-two says he would have done anything to see his daughter healthy again and that making the decision was like “choosing what socks to wear in the morning – simple”.
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:07 pm