Jarlath Regan is “over the moon” after undergoing surgery to save his brother Adrian’s life in the US.
The Irish comedian, who resides in London, flew over to Minnesota to donate a kidney to his brother, which could extend his brother’s life expectancy by more than 25 years.
Taking to Twitter, Jarlath posted a sweet picture of him and his brother in hospital gowns.
“Thanks for all the messages guys. We’re both over the moon with the results. So far so good,” Jarlath tweeted.
Thanks for all the messages guys. We’re both over the moon with the results. So far so good. #KidneyDonation #BeastMode #IrishBrothersAbroad pic.twitter.com/xqKaBu8qc8
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) February 3, 2017
“Operation was a huge success on both sides. Head spinning-We did it! In shock right now,” he added.
The 36-year-old, who hails from Kildare, recently opened up on The Eoghan McDermott Show on 2fm about his decision to donate a kidney to his brother, who has suffered from a rare condition for most of his life.
“He had the option of dialysis but that would be so difficult. I knew that I wanted to be it. If my brother said to me ‘My left foot is ruined and I need you to amputate yours’, I probably would think about it.
“My wife (Tina) is an amazing woman. She is an incredible human being. I asked the doctors was it normal for people to be so blasé about it, as I was, and they said it was. What’s also known is that the person closest to the donor can take on the stress.
Little US etiquette question. Do you tip a surgeon? Operation was a huge success on both sides. Head spinning-We did it! In shock right now.
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) February 2, 2017
“I really feel that Tina has had to endure a lot of the stress that I haven’t because he’s my brother. She does get that if it was her sister or brother, she’d do it in a heartbeat,” he explained.
The comedian, who will discuss his experience donating an organ on his popular podcast An Irishman Abroad, also urged Irish people to consider becoming an organ donor, like so many in the US.
“If the organ fails, he won’t be stuck. In the States there is an organ donor network over there. Even though his wife isn’t a proper match for him, her plan should this not work, her plan is to donate her kidney to someone on the network who needs it, and in exchange find someone who suits him.
“There are people walking in off the streets in the States who are saying ‘I am a healthy human being, I hear you need kidneys, have mine’. Those people have the true hearts of gold.
“It’s a discussion that needs to be had in Ireland. I know that people are dying as a result of the shortage of organs available,” he added.
