A TEENAGER who put his life on hold so he could donate a kidney to his dad is celebrating living life to the full again.

Alex Gauci will be able to party in style when he reaches his 21st birthday on January 3 after learning his father’s kidney transplant has been successful.

Alex lives with his father Joe in Rutland Gate, Belvedere.

Mr Gauci, 58, was an IT manager with Ernst and Young, but was forced to give up work as his health began to fail.

After going undergoing dialysis for nearly six years Mr Gauci has already had to endure bitter disappointment.

His elder brother was lined up to donate a kidney, but at the last minute was diagnosed with a form of diabetes.

In 2004 another kidney became available and Mr Gauci underwent a transplant operation, but his new kidney began to die almost immediately and had to be removed.

In the meantime Mr Gauci has had to endure seven episodes of peritonitis, and the steroids prescribed to combat the infections led to him losing his memory.

Alex’s mother Kathleen said: “Since he was 16, Alex has been adamant about donating his kidney to his dad, but he was too young.

“As soon as he was 18, he began undergoing all the necessary tests. He put his life on hold for this.”

Mr Gauci told News Shopper: “What can I say about Alex, he is my hero for all he went through for me.

“I had given up hope of ever living a normal life again.

“Now I can walk around and do the housework.”

And he is contemplating going back to college to brush up on his previous skills as an electrician.

Mr Gauci added: “I am very optimistic. I feel like I have got my life back.”

Alex said: “I wanted to donate my kidney ever since my dad’s problems started.

“It was hard not to be able to take on a permanent job because of all the tests and because the transplant could have happened at any time.”

He added: “I had to cut down on going out and look after myself healthwise, but I think I have benefited from that, and I am not complaining.

“It is a relief to see my dad looking so much better and not looking like a zombie anymore."

The transplant was carried out at Guy’s Hospital on September 16, but the pair have only just been given the all-clear from doctors.

Alex said he was amazed how quickly he recovered from the operation, thanks to the “fantastic” hospital staff, and he has no problem with just having one kidney.

He said: “It is worth to save someone’s life.”

Mrs Gauci said: “Alex was up and about just four days after the operation and he is now completely back to normal.

“It shows people should not be frightened to make a live organ donation.”