Andrea Evans • Advocates • LLTGL

Andrea is a kidney recipient and a 22 year old student nurse who lives with her boyfriend Mike in Cardiff.

Andrea was born in Cardiff, a normal, healthy child. When she was 16 years old, Andrea contracted meningitis, which led to her be being hospitalised for over 9 months. During this time she spent two months in intensive care, 4 weeks of which she was kept alive by a ventilator breathing for her. Twice over the first week, Andrea’s parents were told that the doctors had done all they could and it was down to Andrea to keep going. Andrea battled hard and managed to pull through however the meningitis caused Andrea’s kidneys to fail. She was put onto dialysis 3 times a week initially, until she opted for a different, more flexible type of dialysis, which involved her being connected to a machine for ten hours a night.

Due to the meningitis Andrea’s legs were badly damaged which led to her having numerous operations, and eventually having to have both of her lower legs amputated. Being the determined spirit she is, Andrea returned to school using prosthetic legs to do her AS and A levels.

In December 2003, she visited her kidney specialist where the possibilities of a kidney transplant were discussed. Andrea was put straight on the waiting list and told that in early January (2004) the nurse specialist would contact her to discuss transplantation in more detail. However amazingly, on Christmas morning Andrea received a phone call that would change her life; it was to say that a kidney was available for her. Andrea made her way to the hospital where final blood tests were done to check the compatibility. In 2003, as most people were sitting down to their Christmas lunch Andrea was off to theatre to receive her new kidney.

After a short and uneventful recovery Andrea was allowed home, and returned to school to complete her AS levels. Andrea felt free for the first time in over a year, she was able to stay out later than usual, and socialise with friends, and more importantly to her she was able to stay over friends houses!

Andrea had always wanted to be a paramedic, but because of her prosthetic legs decided that it would be too hard/ impossible to do. After having many inspirational nurses looking after her Andrea decided that it was a career path that she wanted to pursue, as she would be giving something back after her time in hospital. Andrea started her nursing degree at the University of Glamorgan in 2006, and is due to qualify next September. Before starting her nursing degree, Andrea spent 2 months travelling- something that would have been unachievable on dialysis.

Andrea is an extremely driven lady and shows a constant ability to adapt and change, allowing her to continue following her ambitions no matter what is thrown her way. Her strong spirit and personal drive makes her a fantastic new addition to the Advocate team.

Andrea knows that without a transplant many of the things that she has achieved over the last 5 years would not have been possible and that it is down to her donor’s family making the choice to donate their loved ones' organs.