Melanie Wager has lived with renal failure for the past 22 years and was diagnosed two weeks before going to Westminster College, Oxford, where she studied to become an English teacher. She stopped teaching around five years ago after her health deteriorated. A volunteer for Kidney Wales Foundation, Melanie is able to dialyse at home thanks to the support of her husband Nick, who juggles his full time career with caring for her. Melanie keeps herself busy with hobbies and volunteer work, and hopes to return to teaching after a successful transplant.

‘Tomorrow my husband might stop being my carer and go back to being my partner’

The Welsh Government’s plan to introduce opt-out for organ donation is laudible, but, as this personal account tells, more of us need to join the donor register in the meantime