Family love saw Craig give his sick son Luke a kidney

A father and son say they have a simple message for others after what they thought was a spider bite proved to be far more deadly.

Luke Macauley has a simple message for anyone at risk of kidney problems or with certain symptoms – get it checked out before it’s too late.

Back in 2012, Luke, 28, was experiencing lethargy and trouble focusing, then in early 2017 he had swollen right foot initially misdiagnosed as a spider bite.

By the time he was diagnosed with kidney disease in March that year, his kidneys had almost stopped functioning and he had to go straight on dialysis.

Family love came to the fore and his father Craig, who was a viable match, donated a kidney to him in November 2017.

Fortunately, the organ is still functioning well today.

“My health is pretty good thanks to Dad giving me a kidney and the stellar health care in South Australia, we are so lucky to have such good doctors and facilities,” Luke, of Colonel Light Gardens, said.

“My dad is quite incredible, I am very lucky.”

Luke Macauley, 28, with donor father Craig and mother Beth shortly after his transplant.

Luke is studying a masters degree in psychology and is an advocate for Kidney Health Australia, which is using Kidney Health Week to urge people at risk or who have had severe Covid symptoms to see their GP for a check.

“If you have symptoms or are in a risk group, don’t leave it, get it checked,” Luke said.

“When I was 18 I would never have guessed I had kidney disease. I lost so many good years because I didn’t know what the signs or symptoms were.

“By the time I was diagnosed, I needed dialysis and a transplant. It would have only taken a simple blood test and everything could have been different.”

Luke said the cause of his disease was “a bit of a mystery” as his own organs were too small for a biopsy.

Early detection is vital as people can lose 90 per cent of kidney function without experiencing symptoms.

A check involves a blood test to see how well the kidneys are filtering blood; a urine test to check for the presence of blood or the protein albumin; and a blood pressure test because high blood pressure and kidney disease are related.

Kidney transplant recipient Luke Macauley, 28, with donor father Craig. Picture: Supplied

Risk factors include a family history of kidney disease, being a smoker, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, obesity and having an acute kidney injury. People who are aged over 60 or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are also at greater risk of kidney disease.

Kidney Health Australia has a free online risk test.

Kidney Health Australia chief executive Chris Forbes said pandemic lockdowns have resulted in people not visiting medical professionals as often as they normally would, “so we are urging at-risk Australians to get tested this week during Kidney Health Week.”