Summiting Scafell Pike and Sharing Your Spare: A Candid Q&A With Kidney Donor Edward Hibbert
- Ones Enough
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Conquering a mountain like Scafell Pike is an incredible test of endurance. Between the steep, rocky inclines and the unpredictable weather, it’s a gruelling journey.
But as the One's Enough team tackled the highest peak in England as part of our National Three Peaks Challenge, we weren't just climbing for the views. For this leg of the challenge, we were incredibly lucky to be joined on the mountain by a real-life superhero: Edward Hibbert, a non-directed (altruistic) kidney donor and a trustee for the charity Give a Kidney.
Our original plan was to interview Edward at 3,000 feet on the mountain, but between catching our breath and battling the elements, Scafell Pike had other ideas! Fortunately, we were able to catch up with Edward afterward on a Zoom call for a candid, deep-dive interview.
With questions displayed right on screen, Edward answered everything openly, offering a rare look into what it’s like to donate a kidney to a stranger and live a completely full life with just one.
Here are some of the most powerful insights from our conversation.
"If you had a third kidney to give, would you be back in the hospital tomorrow?"
One of the questions we were most eager to ask Edward was whether he had any regrets, or if he would do it all over again. His response cut straight to the core of why altruistic donation is so profound. He made it clear that if he had another spare to give, he wouldn’t hesitate to return to the hospital tomorrow.
It completely reframes how we look at organ donation. It isn't a sacrifice that leaves you lacking; it’s a life-affirming gift that leaves you feeling fulfilled.
Debunking the One-Kidney Myth at 3,000 Feet
A major hurdle for potential donors is the fear of how living with one kidney will impact their health and physical capabilities. We asked Edward point-blank: "What’s the biggest misconception people have about living with one kidney that you want to debunk?"
His answer? The idea that it leaves you fragile.
Most people are born with two kidneys but only need one to live a perfectly normal, healthy life. To prove that "One's Enough," Edward wasn't just talking the talk—he was walking the walk right up Scafell Pike. When asked how long after his surgery it took before he could do something as physically demanding as climbing a mountain, his journey stood as absolute proof that recovery doesn't just mean "getting by"—it means reclaiming your strength and thriving.
Data vs. Impact: The Trustee Perspective
Because Edward is also a trustee for Give a Kidney, he holds a unique position. He sees the staggering data and the waiting lists behind the scenes, but he has also personally felt the physical reality of being a donor. We asked him which side drives him more.
For Edward, the two go hand-in-hand. The data reminds us of the urgent need—the hundreds of people desperately waiting for a transplant—while the personal impact reminds us of the human lives attached to those numbers. It’s what inspires his vision of a "utopian world" where kidney donation becomes normalized, ensuring no one has to suffer on a waiting list for want of a kidney.
Moving Mountains, One Conversation at a Time
Whether Edward is navigating a Zoom call or navigating a steep descent on a mountain with aching legs, his motivation remains steadfast. Knowing that a stranger is out there breathing easier and living a full life because of his donation is a powerful fuel.
Through the One's Enough campaign, Carolyn and the team are dedicated to getting people talking openly about living kidney donation. From our community crafting 281 handmade knitted kidneys to catch the eyes of fellow hikers on the summits, to sit-downs with inspiring donors like Edward, the message remains clear: You are born with a spare. Sharing it can rewrite someone else's future.
Watch the Full Interview!
Want to see Edward’s raw, honest, and incredibly inspiring answers to all of our questions? Watch our full video interview, “Asking an Altruistic Kidney Donor the Questions
You Want to Know,” right here: YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK HERE
To find out more about how you can "Share Your Spare" or to read more donor stories, visit Give a Kidney and follow the One's Enough Campaign.
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