A WOMAN from Boston is urging more people to sign up as organ donors after having the kidney transplant she was told she may never get.

Janine Baxter, 40, had been on dialysis for 13 years after her kidneys were destroyed by the affects of a rare auto-immune disorder called Wegener's Granulomatosis, that she contracted aged 19.

Kidney transplant patient Janine Baxter with her partner Alan Thomas.

The part-time children's play worker, who had to give up her dreams of being a teacher due to her condition, went on the transplant waiting list seven years ago, although she was told the chances of a match were not high due to the amount of blood transfusions she had undergone, plus having a very common blood group.

However, on June 22 she received the telephone call she thought may never happen, telling her a donor had been found. She underwent transplant surgery in Leicester General Hospital and is now recovering at home.

Janine said that, despite having dialysis three times a day for the past two years, she had tried to keep thoughts of a potential transplant out of her mind.

She said: "When I got the call I was excited and nervous, but even then, I didn't know for sure the transplant would happen as I had to have various checks when I arrived at the hospital.

"Within hours of getting the call, I was having the transplant. I spent eight days in hospital and the staff were fantastic.

"I have to take anti-rejection medication and probably will for the rest of my life but, hopefully, as I get stronger I will be able to return to work and live as normal a life as possible."

Janine now wants to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

She said: "There are so many people on the waiting list for transplants which could change their lives.

"I would encourage everyone to consider signing up to be donors and to make sure their relatives know their wishes, should something happen.

"With kidneys, you can also be a live donor which is something a lot of people don't realise."

Janine and her partner Alan Thomas would like to thank all their friends, family and work colleagues for their support.

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register call 03001 232323 or ask at your GP surgery.