British pensioner flies to Australia to save twin sister's life by donating kidney

Daphne Dearing, 62, from Bristol, only discovered last week she was an exact match for Susan Daunton, who has been ill for over a decade.

Susan emigrated in 1980 to make a new life on the Gold Coast, but now suffers so badly with polycystic kidneys that she is registered disabled.

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The idea of donation only came to the pair last year after a consultant said Susan's best hope of recovery was to discover a twin - little knowing she had one waiting in the West Country.

Mrs Dearing, a care worker, said: "It didn't come into my mind, and I just accepted the fact her kidney was failing.

"Then one day her consultant said, 'You could do with a twin', at which point she told him she had a real-life one in England. She started joking with me over the phone saying 'I'll have one of yours!'

"When I found out I was not just a good match but an exact match I was ecstatic. We were both so elated, even though we knew deep down that I would be suitable.

"Susan has a daughter but didn't want to ask because she has her whole life ahead of her and has two children to look after.

"She worked for a printing company in Australia before her illness which we hope can now be reversed.

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"There is a one in 3000 chance of me dying and there is also the risk of her rejecting the organ, but that is unlikely as we are such a good match. I'm not concerned by the risks - you could get run over by a bus tomorrow."

Last May Mrs Dearing, from Patchway, flew out to see Susan and they combined a birthday celebration with a visit to the consultant for tests.

Last week she got the call telling her that she was an 'identical' match. She in now waiting to find out when she and her husband Malcolm are to be scrambled to Australia.

That depends on the space being free at the hospital for the operation, which is expected to be in the next six months.

Mrs Dearing will remain on the other side of the world for up to two months while she recovers.

She will pay for her own flights and is even expecting to fund part of the treatment, as there is no National Health Service in Australia.