Man 'swapped kidney for Star Wars Lego' for twin

Twins James and Tim Brown - James donated his kidney to his brother

A man who donated a kidney to his twin in exchange for Star Wars Lego has encouraged others to join the organ donor register.

James and Tim Brown, 48, were admitted to Royal Liverpool Hospital for the procedure just a day after they celebrated their joint birthday in 2013 with a family lunch and a trip to the Lego store.

James Brown, from Blaisdon in the Forest of Dean, said his brother Tim had a kidney removed when he was 18 months old and the remaining one had already begun to show signs of disease.

"By mid-2012 it was clear that his luck, and his kidney, was running out," Mr Brown said.

Across the UK, more than 1,000 people each year donate a kidney or part of their liver as a living donor

Mr Brown added: "Fortunately, being identical mirror twins meant we were a perfect genetic match.

"In fact, all of the earliest kidney transplants in medical history involved identical twins because the risk of rejection was so low.

"And what did Tim give me in return for a kidney? Some Star Wars LEGO.

"We still laugh about it, and that LEGO sits on my shelf as a reminder of our shared journey, and his questionable - perhaps phenomenal - negotiation skills.

"It was like winning the lottery, not just because of the rarity of Tim's condition, but because he also had an identical twin who could safely donate."

The NHS launched Organ Donor Week on Monday to raise awareness and encourage people to register as organ donors.

Across the UK, more than 1,000 people each year donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive to a relative, friend or someone they do not know, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.

Lisa and Craig Shipley from Cheltenham joined a paired organ donor scheme

Lisa Shipley, from Cheltenham, joined a paired organ donor scheme as her husband Craig waits for a second kidney transplant.

Lisa wasn't a match for Craig but when living donors are not a suitable match for a loved one it may be possible to be matched with another donor recipient pair in the same situation and for the donor kidneys to be exchanged..

Craig's first transplant was from his sister in 2008 after undergoing home dialysis.

At the time he was told the transplant would not be a cure and he would need another transplant later in life.

His health has been declining over the past year.

Despite this he has managed to lose two stone since June and he is undergoing tests prior to the transplant.

The transplant will take place early next year at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Lisa said: "Please discuss organ donation with your family. Your donation can save lives and it only takes two minutes to register your decision."

You can register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor on the Organ Donation Register.