A man from New Malden, who transformed his sister's life by donating a kidney, is now preparing to run the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, 27 April, to raise awareness of living kidney donation – and to prove you can live a full, active life with just one kidney. 

Sulmaan Hanif, 35, donated a kidney to his younger sister Aminah in April 2017 after her own kidneys declined due to complications linked to Crohn's and colitis.

Eight years on, Hanif is taking on his first marathon in support of Kidney Research UK. 

Hanif said: "Donating a kidney was an easy decision for me.

"Aminah has been thriving since our transplant and my life has been unaffected by living with one kidney.

"I have two young children, a busy job in the technology sector travelling internationally and a very active lifestyle. Now I've thrown a marathon into the mix."  

Aminah, now 33, was diagnosed with Crohn's and colitis in her late teens.

The medications used to manage her condition eventually began to damage her kidneys and, by 2017, she was on the brink of needing dialysis.

Hanif said: "Watching your sibling suffer like that is incredibly hard."

"She was at an age where she should've been enjoying life – university, travelling, meeting a partner. Instead, she was navigating endless appointments, symptoms, and side effects from treatment." 

"Our mum and dad both came forward as live donors but didn't pass the tests. It was third time lucky when I came forward – and the transplant went ahead successfully.

"Aminah continues to take immunosuppressants to protect her kidney against rejection, but her life has completely resumed post-transplant.

"She has a fulfilling career and has been able to travel as part of her personal pursuits – and most importantly, she's enjoying herself."

A kidney transplant is the best treatment option for many people with kidney failure – but adults wait an average of 18 months on the NHS transplant list.

Living donation can allow patients to avoid dialysis and often results in a longer-lasting transplant.

For donors like Hanif, life with one kidney is not only possible but he is thriving. 

"I didn't think twice," he said.

"You only need one, and I feel even healthier now.

"The transplant made me more aware of what I eat and how I look after myself. I want more people – especially from minority ethnic communities like mine – to be aware of kidney health, as our diets can be high in sugar and salt, which can put people at risk." 

Since the transplant, Hanif has had several people reach out to him for advice on becoming a donor.

Now, he hopes by running the London Marathon he will inspire even more people to consider living donation and support vital kidney research.

Hanif said: "I've never run a marathon before, but this felt like the right way to mark everything we've been through and give something back.

"Aminah, my wife and kids, and our family friends will be cheering me on. I'll be proud to cross the finish line with a smile on my face – and one kidney in my body." 

You can support Hanif's fundraising here.