BBC commentator donates kidney to stranger
BBC horse racing commentator Richard Pitman is recovering at home after donating a kidney to a complete stranger.
The former jockey successfully underwent the surgery last weekend at Oxford's Churchill Hospital and doctors believe he could be back working by the end of the month.
Under the rules of organ donation, Pitman has been given no details about who has received his kidney, but he has been told it has been successfully transplanted.
"I feel great," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
"I feel it was worthwhile and I feel strong. I am pleased I did it for that reason and I am pleased it worked.
"There are risks, but they point them out to you and keep telling you right up until the anaesthetic that you can pull out at any point.
"It is medicine that saves people's lives, but I have done my small part in a big team."
The 69-year-old said he was motivated to do the selfless act because he had watched a close friend, Tim Gibson, 61, nearly die before having a successful transplant two years ago.
"I was watching him dying in front of my eyes and I have since seen him blossom. He went from dropping off to absolutely zinging," Pitman said.
"Not knowing who will receive the kidney doesn't bother me. I just want to help anyone who was suffering like Tim was."
Pittman is a fixture on BBC's horse racing coverage but first made his name as a jockey, and spent 11 years married to Grand National-winning trainer Jenny Pitman before their divorce in 1977.
He won 470 races in his 15-year career including the Champion Hurdle, the King George VI Chase (twice), the Whitbread Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup.
He admitted that some members of his family tried to talk him out of the surgery.
"(My wife) Mandy's reaction was: 'It's your decision and that's fine, but I'd prefer that you didn't do it'," he said.
"My younger daughter thought the same but my other daughter, a physiotherapist who is married to a doctor, backed me all the way. I'm glad to say they're all behind me now, which is great."
Pitman should be ready to commentate on the Grand National, which he almost won as a jockey in 1973 on Crisp only to finish second to Red Rum, in April.
Comment 126 - 145 of 145
my gawd, why cannot we just celebrate the wonderous action/gift that this person has done. There are a lot of bitter, twisted and down right Horrid people on here making what they believe 'funny' or outrageous comments, and to achiveve what?, I ask.
why not just celebrate in the wonder of what one human being has done for another..
as my jewish gran would say this guy didn't perform a mitzvah for a mitzvah he's just a good guy..
lol Julie, Paul G seems to know about wanking ... yeuch ... pervert self righteeous type obviously ... gross !!!
Think for yourself ... Don't worry wht my hand does kiddo !
TRT David.
Bet your right hand aches!
As an altruistic donor myself, we are told that the details of the date of surgery and the hospital should not be mentioned when talking to any press. There are not many altruistic donations, what if his recipient sees the article?
I have asked the lead nurse for living kidney donation about this.
Just think how dramatically transplant requirement statistics would fall if people changed their lifestyles and stopped living like avaricios pigs!
I think less people will be live donors now because this pratt is snatching all the credit!!!
Now everyone with a new kidney will think it is Pitmans'. The lengths people go to for a ray of limelight!
He and his family should be very proud of this gift WELL DONE
Good on you, it makes me so proud to know there are still selfless people in the world like you. My very selfless and much loved sister gave me a kidney about 16 months ago and I know the difference it can make to ones life, and it's still working fine after a few minor hiccups. I hope you are soon feeling like your old self.
What a top bloke!
loads of people donate organs to strangers, but they don't get praise because there not famous
Just another cheap publicity stunt or is it the onset of senility!
Well done for bringing organ donation back into the public eye. Yes there are a lot of unsung hero's (and they truely are) but as he is known it brings it all to the frontline. I say we should all fight for an opt out organ donation plan rather than an opt in. Covers all those people who don't want to donate after death as they can sign up but also covers all those who don't have time to fill in a donation plan but would like to.
LOL @ Mikey, pulling the sick card to excuse his bad attitude !
This Mikey guy is a proper moron if he can't debate like an adult without being offensive to people he disagrees with. Very brat natured he seems!
does no one proof read these things, how many spellings of his surname was there, shocking......
TRT David and the rest of you Miserable lot.... No wonder the Milk of Human kindness is turning sour when such an act recieves such condescending comment...I would wager if any of the negative posters had ever worked in Palliative care or for the McMillan Trust or Samaritans as I have, or have seen a loved one whittled away by disease, (which I also have) dying for want of a transplant organ they would feel much differently. Carry on, in your own selfish little world.
By the look of him, he didn.t have too long to wait before they could of had both of them. But then he wouldn't of felt the benefits of the back patting would he ?
I wish I was brave enough to do the same. Have a family member with kidney failure with a very young daughter. Thank you for setting us all a great example... I am sure your family supported you or you would not have gone ahead.
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