Today , doctor approximate that a transplanted kidney will carry on to function for around two decades , but back in 1973 the prognosis was much lower . It was thought that around 30 to 40 percent of transplanted kidneys would last only five days . One char from the UK is presently living an stupefying 43 year after receiving a kidney , make the electronic organ in event 100 age old and defying all anticipation from Doctor of the Church .

When Sue Westhead from County Durham was 25 year old , she was diagnosed with kidney disease . As she recite to theBBC , she could “ scarce take the air ” and was “ a unlike color , ” and   she was tell that she only had one - tenth of the normal renal affair in her kidneys . Her only chance of endurance was with a kidney graft from her mother , Ann Metcalfe , who was 57 at the time , and who “ literally gave me life because I would n’t have live much longer , ” Westhead told theBBC .

Now over four decades on ,   Westhead is herself 68 years former and give-up the ghost strong with the same kidney donated by her mother all those years ago . That in core make the organ an unbelievable 100 years old , and in November will clock up another year , though obviously item-by-item cells have been regenerate themselves over that time period . Westhead is now think to have one of the human beings ’s oldest successfully transplanted kidney , far outlive the modern - twenty-four hour period estimate of 20 year .

Kidney transplants are themost common formof organ transplant performed today , with nine out of 10   patients on the transplant list waiting for the Hammond organ . Even though an judge 3,000 of the operations are carried out each year , it is thought that most people will wait on modal three to four year before one becomes useable , as in the UK around53,000people are treat annually for kidney failure .

Back in 1973 , and the survival of the fittest charge per unit was nowhere near what it is today . “ I think of think if I get five years I ’ll be happy,”says Westhead . “ That was 43 old age ago and my kidney is lead for 101 years old in November . You just have to get on with living , not play the victim and enwrap yourself in cotton plant woollen . ” Every twenty-four hour period Westhead has been taking 20 tablet to ensure the organ is   not turn down , while also looking after her health in general .

Her full news report is being told on Wednesday , August 10 , on the BBC .