FATHER-of-two John Polson faces a life-saving kidney transplant after being born with a genetic condition.

So his mother, Norine Polson, and sister, Belinda Stanley, have stepped in to offer one of their kidneys to save his life.

Tests have shown they are both suitable donors and Norine, aged 69, is now awaiting the results of further tests before the transplant can go ahead.

John, aged 45, has polycystic kidney disease, which is causing his kidneys to fail, and without a transplant he would have to spend hours undergoing dialysis every week to stay alive.

Norine said: “From the time that we knew John had the disease, I always said that I would be tested and donate a kidney. It is daunting, but there has never been any doubt in my mind. I brought him into the world and it would be nice if I could give him extra time here.

“I have had all the tests and now we’re in limbo, waiting for the results. We have to be optimistic.”

John, of Turks Road, Radcliffe, said: “The disease isn’t debilitating and it has never affected me in day-to-day life, but my kidney function has gone down to 17 per cent now. When it gets down to 15 per cent, I will need a transplant. I’m hoping that I will have the transplant in the next two to three months.

“It’s very brave of my mum and sister to do this. They are absolute stars and obviously I will never be able to thank them enough. It will give me a new lease of life and hopefully let me live for another 20 or 30 years.”

Polycystic kidney disease is the world’s most common inherited life-threatening condition and causes fluid-filled cysts to develop on the kidneys. More than half of the people affected by the disease will have kidney failure by the age of 60.

There is a 50 per cent likelihood of someone with the disease passing it on to their child and John inherited it from his dad, Jack.

John’s grandmother died of the disease in 1965 at the age of 50, when doctors said she was too old for a transplant, and his aunt died 15 years ago aged 53.

Jack, aged 73, had a kidney transplant 20 years ago and his brother, Keith, had one 15 years ago. It has allowed Jack to live life to the full, enjoying 48 years of marriage, travelling around the world, doing martial art aikido and even para-sailing at 1,000ft last year.

The whole family is now urging other people to join the organ donor register and give the gift of life.

Jack, of Woodhill Vale, Bury, said: “I was in end-stage renal failure and only had six per cent kidney function when I had my transplant. Without it, I definitely would have died.

“I am one of the success stories. I may not be financially rich, but I feel like a very lucky lottery winner with my kidney.

“It is important that people think about what will happen to their organs when they die and consider allowing them to be used to save lives. We need to educate prospective donors that many seriously sick patients desperately need these organs to survive.”

The NHS organ donor register is a national, confidential list of people who are willing to become donors after their death.

To join the register or find out more: call 0300 123 23 23 or go to organ donation.nhs.uk