GOOLWA - For 28-year-old Goolwa local Kylie Wingard, who had watched her father go through kidney problems since she was just five, the decision to donate one of her kidneys to him to save his life was an easy one.

Her father, Bob Veitch of Torrens Park, has already had a kidney transplant 18 years ago, however after that kidney failed him, Bob was put back onto dialysis and back onto the transplant list.

That is when Kylie stepped in with her tremendously generous offer that has changed both their lives.

"I always said when and if he needed another one I would jump to it," Kylie explained.

The operation took place on April 23 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and just a few weeks down the track, both patients are doing extremely well.

Bob has received positive responses from the doctors at his daily check-ups, and the whole family is looking forward to a bright future.

Bob is extremely thankful and touched by his daughter's generosity, as he emotionally discusses his appreciation.

"How can you thank her? It's too hard, I just can't say ‘thank you’ enough," Bob said.

"How can you thank someone who has given you another life?"

Bob is the proud grandfather to three young children, including Leigh, Kylie's two-year-old son.

"He's got grandkids to look after so he has to be healthy," Kylie said.

Following the large amount of tests Kylie was required to undertake, and once she was given the okay to donate, the original transplant was planned for November last year.

However two days before the surgery was set to take place, Bob was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and a sub-dural haematoma (bleed of the brain).

Kylie says this was an extremely scary time for the family, and she, her mother Sue and sister Sally were at the hospital fearing for his life.

It was a stark contrast from the soft-spoken, articulate and friendly Bob you see today, who is now looking forward to a life without dialysis, which means he can travel, start doing some volunteer work and spend more time playing with the grandkids.

"It's been over two weeks since I last had dialysis, and every day is a blessing," Bob said.

The 57-year-old hopes this kidney will give him another 18 years to enjoy life, and that Kylie's bravery may encourage other potential donors to help save a life.

Kylie can still lead a normal life with only one kidney, and after her six weeks off work has finished she is looking forward to getting stuck into the renovations at the Goolwa Camping and Tourist Park that she and her husband Matthew run.

She is also looking forward to playing basketball again for her back-to-back premiership winning Goolwa side.

"The only thing I can't do is kick boxing or karate according to the doctors," Kylie said.

She is able to have more children, something she and Matthew hope for in the near future, and the keyhole surgery has not required her to make any long-term lifestyle changes.

"It has been a long road, but it is so worth it to see people you love happy and living," Kylie said.

To find out more about organ donation in South Australia visit http://www.organdonation.sa.gov.au.