"Prepare for the worst, they told me"
"It was the worst time you can possibly imagine," said his mum Carolyn Thomas.
In January 2020, our world was turned upside down in the space of just twenty-four hours.
My son, Dan, was a healthy, active 18-year-old—a keen boxer who loved the gym. When he first mentioned feeling "a bit off" and complained of a sore back, we thought it was a cold or perhaps a bad hangover from a night out with friends.
But as a mother, I had a nagging fear. When I realized his temperature had spiked to 39.5°C, I knew something was wrong. Within hours, Dan collapsed. A rash began to bloom across his skin right before our eyes. By the time we reached the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, he was fighting for his life against meningococcal septicaemia.
The doctors told us to prepare for the worst. We were told to say our goodbyes.
The Battle After the Crisis
Dan is a fighter. He spent eight days in an induced coma and nearly a month in intensive care. He survived, and against all odds, the surgeons saved his limbs. We are the lucky ones—but the "recovery" didn't end when he left the hospital.
The sepsis took a devastating toll on Dan’s body, specifically his kidneys. Today, Dan lives with a working but deteriorating kidney. We know the road ahead: it won't be long before his world is once again dominated by heavy medication, the exhaustion of dialysis, and the absolute necessity of a kidney transplant.
Our Mission: The Power of Living Donation
This is where our mission at Ones Enough takes its most urgent turn.
As a family, we have done everything we can. Our friends and relatives have stepped forward to be tested, but for various health reasons or lack of a match, none of us can be Dan’s donor. This is a heartbreaking reality, but it’s one shared by thousands of families across the UK.
This is why I am shouting about Living Kidney Donation.
It is not just about Dan; it is about the thousands of people waiting for a second chance at life. Many people don't realize that you can live a full, healthy life with just one kidney—and that by donating one, you can literally save a life.
Why We Are Here
I’m Carolyn, Dan’s mum, and I helped start Ones Enough because we know firsthand how quickly life can change. We advocate for:
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Awareness: Recognizing the early signs of meningitis and sepsis.
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Support: Helping families navigate the long-term health consequences of these illnesses.
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Action: Starting the conversation about Living Kidney Donation.
I believe that no family should have to face these battles alone, and no one should have to wait years for a life-saving organ. We want to break the silence and the fear surrounding donation.
Because when it comes to losing a loved one to a preventable wait or a sudden illness, one is enough.
Carolyn Frater-Thomas Woman on a Mission - Remember "Ones Enough"
