Wife donates kidney to husband after turning out to be '1-in-22 million' match

14 August 2023 , 16:28

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Donna has given husband Darren a kidney

A woman donated a kidney to her seriously-ill husband after they were found to be a “one in 22 million” match.

Donna Creed said there was a greater chance of winning the National Lottery than being a match for her husband Darren. He was suffering from polycystic kidney disease and had kidney function of just 19% when doctors advised him to start looking for a donor.

Darren, a chef from Loughborough, Leics, was touched when relatives volunteered to be tested - and was astonished when Donna proved to be a match. The delighted couple, who have been married for 25 years, are now recovering following last month’s successful transplant.

Darren, 51, told the BBC: “I wasn't very hopeful that I’d find a donor at all because the odds were so long. For Donna to turn out to be a match for me is amazing. The odds of us being a match were one in 22 million. Honestly, we had more chance of winning the lottery.”

Donna has been praised for giving Darren 'an amazing gift'

Hotel manager Donna, 49, added: “We genuinely didn’t think I was going to be a match because the chances are so slim. But every test we had came back looking like it was matching. We couldn't believe it. Darren woke up from the transplant a new person. He was so well. It was like getting my husband back from 25 years ago.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

“He was laughing and joking, where he had been so tired before. His condition was having a real impact. We couldn’t do anything like socialise. Even holding a conversation was a challenge. Now the difference is incredible.

“It is great to be able to do this for your husband, a member of your family or even a total stranger. It’s such a gift to give for just a week of discomfort.”

Darren's friends are now planning a Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) charity. Charlotte Crotty, of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, praised the couple.

“It’s fantastic that Donna and Darren were a match. She has given him an amazing gift and you can see it has transformed their lives and the lives of their whole family.”

Martin Fricker