Alan Morton from Larne received a kidney transplant at age 15. The organ has functioned for 50 years. A celebration event took place at the Renal Unit in Antrim Area Hospital to mark the occasion. Family members and renal staff attended.

Morton credits the transplant with enabling a full life. He married Gail and they have three children and three granddaughters. He stated that the kidney provided him with decades of health and opportunity.

His condition started at age 10 with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura affecting his kidneys. Treatment included medication and dialysis before the transplant. Dialysis sessions lasted 14 hours twice weekly.

The donor call came one evening. A cousin drove the family to Belfast for the surgery. Professor Molly McGeown oversaw his care and confirmed the transplant success.

Sharon Brown, Renal Nurse Specialist with Northern Health and Social Care Trust, noted the transplant's impact on Morton's life and family during the event.

Morton worked at a paper mill in Larne and completed A-Levels after the transplant. He played music in local bands covering various genres.

Currently 82 people in Northern Ireland await kidney-only transplants. From April 1 to December 31, 2025, 40 kidneys were donated after death.