In an exceedingly uncommon occurrence, a 49-year-old woman selflessly donated one of her kidneys to her 51-year-old ailing husband in the UK. Donna Creed’s act of generosity and compassion led her to donate the organ to her spouse, Darren Creed.
The pair is currently in the process of recuperating from the transplant procedure that took place in July. They have expressed that this medical intervention has already brought about a profound positive change in their lives.
Mrs. Creed, who works as a hotel manager, emphasized that providing an organ donation was the ultimate expression of love and care she could offer to a cherished family member.
Mr. Creed received a diagnosis of a renal condition a dozen years ago. He adeptly navigated his health situation until his kidney functionality declined to a mere 19%, resulting in persistent fatigue and the impending need for prolonged dialysis.
Miracle Match
Medical experts at Leicester General Hospital advised him to initiate the search for a suitable organ donor. Numerous family members of Mr. Creed willingly underwent testing to determine their compatibility, yet it was his wife who emerged as the ideal match, offering her kidney for his transplant.
Working as a chef at Loughborough College, he expressed, “I had very little optimism about finding a donor, given the remote chances. However, the fact that Donna turned out to be a compatible match for me is truly astonishing.”
“Kidney Care UK informed us that the likelihood of us being a compatible match stood at one in 22 million. To be honest, our odds were better for winning the lottery.”
Mrs. Creed, aged 49, shared, “We truly believed that I wouldn’t turn out to be a match due to the extremely slim odds, but every test we underwent seemed to indicate a positive match.”
What is Kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant involves surgically transferring a kidney from a donor to a recipient. Donors can be either deceased or living individuals. Individuals who have reached the advanced stage of kidney disease, known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), are advised to consider a kidney transplant. The kidneys play a vital role in the body’s functioning, eliminating urea and liquid waste from the bloodstream and maintaining a balance of salts and electrolytes. Additionally, a crucial function of the kidneys is the production of erythropoietin, a pivotal hormone responsible for the creation of red blood cells.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) can stem from various factors. Recurrent urinary infections can inflict detrimental impacts on kidney function. The presence of diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to kidney impairment. Additionally, inherited conditions such as polycystic kidney disease have the potential to result in renal failure.
A kidney transplant may not be considered suitable if you experience frequent recurring infections, have cancer that has metastasized, face heart-related issues, or have pre-existing serious conditions that could potentially worsen following the transplant.
Statements by the Couple
Mrs. Creed is currently encouraging individuals to contemplate the idea of organ donation.
She expressed, “The ability to do this for your spouse, a family member, or even a complete stranger is truly remarkable. It’s an invaluable gift to bestow, considering it involves only a short period of discomfort.”
Charlotte Crotty, the transplant lead specialist nurse at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, commented, “The fact that Donna and Darren were a compatible match is truly remarkable. She has bestowed upon him an incredible gift, and you can clearly observe how it has not only transformed their lives but also the lives of their entire family.”
