A WOMAN who donated more than half of her liver to save her friend’s life has been put forward for a Proud of Barnsley award.

Rebecca Kenyon, 38, of Ardsley knew she could not sit back and do nothing when her friend was diagnosed with a rare liver condition. Rebecca underwent the operation on July 13 at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, donating a total of 63 per cent of her liver.

She spent six days in hospital, following some minor complications and how has a ten inch wound on her stomach.

Rebecca said: “I’ve known my friend for about five years, and I knew deep down there was something I could do.

“She’s roughly the same age as me, and is someone who was very healthy. She has never smoked, and only drank sociably.“

For something like this to happen, it hit her hard. All of a sudden she went from having a life to having no life. She was at home a lot of the time. In a way, it’s given my friend her life back. I’m glad I did it.

“I understand it’s quite difficult to find a match. I read up on these things when I was going through the tests, and sometimes even family members are not a match. So it was a big coincidence. My friend never thought we would be a match.”

Rebecca said the operation was cancelled twice, once because of a shortage of beds and once because there had already been two transplants throughout the night. This made her a little nervous, and when she finally had the operation she said it was a huge relief.

She added: “It was emotional when we saw each other again. I didn’t see my friend until six days after the operation. She had some complications and at one point had to go back to theatre to get her liver working properly. When I saw her, she was really ill and could barely talk.

"All I could think was ‘what have I done to her?’ I felt a bit guilty but she kept trying to say ‘thank you.

’“She’s out of hospital now and she’s doing what she can. She’s still very weak.”

Rebecca said her bosses had been supportive of her decision to have the operation, and she has taken three months unpaid leave to recover. Her liver regenerates within six to eight weeks of the operation.

She said she was surprised to be nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award, adding: “I’m surprised but I’m going to take it, I did something good and I feel quite proud.”

If you know someone who is worth of a Proud of Barnsley award, nominate them today.

There are 15 categories. These are: Young Superstar, School of the Year, Children’s Champion, Carer of the Year, Sporting Achievement, Love Where You Live, Start-up of the Year, Exceptional Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Charity Fundraising Team, Community Hero, Triumph Over Adversity, Hospital Hero, Community Group, Charity Fundraiser.

•To find out more about Proud of Barnsley, click here