A woman who donated a kidney to her seriously ill husband has described it as 'the greatest gift' she could give. Donna Creed, 49, sacrificed the organ for her husband Darren, 51, who suffered from polycystic kidney disease.
The couple, from Leicestershire, are recovering after the transplant took place in July. Mrs Creed, a hotel manager, said her husband woke up 'as a new person'. Mr Creed, a chef at Loughborough College, had been diagnosed with the renal condition 12 years ago and his kidney function had fallen to just 19%, leaving him with chronic tiredness and facing dialysis.
Specialists at Leicester General Hospital urged him to find a donor. Several family members volunteered, but it was his wife who emerged as a match. Mr Creed said: 'Kidney Care UK told us the odds of us being a match were one in 22 million. Honestly, we had more chance of winning the lottery.'
Mrs Creed added: 'Darren woke up from the transplant a new person. It was like getting my husband back from 25 years ago. He was laughing and joking where he had been so tired before.' She said the condition had prevented them from socialising or even holding conversations.
Charlotte Crotty, transplant lead specialist nurse at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: '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.'
Following his transplant, Mr Creed will support family members tackling the Three Peaks Challenge in September, climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in 24 hours. Supporters have pledged £1,700 for the PKD charity.
