The Lottery

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

Donna Creed sacrificed The Organ for her husband Darren who was suffering from polycystic kidney disease.

The couple are recovering from the transplant, In July , but said it had already transformed their lives.

Mrs Creed, a Hotel Manager , said an organ donation was " The Greatest gift" she could give to a loved one.

Mr Creed, 51, was diagnosed with the renal condition 12 years ago but had managed the condition until his kidney function fell to just 19%, which left him with chronic tiredness and facing the prospect of long-running dialysis.

Specialists at Leicester General Hospital urged him to start looking for a donor and several members of Mr Creed's family volunteered to be tested, but it was his wife who emerged as a match.

The Chef , who works at Loughborough College, said: " I wasn't very hopeful that I'd find a donor at all because The Odds were so long but for Donna to turn out to be a match for me is amazing.

" 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, 49, said: " 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. "

She added: " Darren woke up from the transplant a new person. "

" He was so well. It was like getting my husband back from 25 years ago. He was laughing and joking where he had been so tired before.

" His condition was having a real impact, we couldn't do any thing like socialise. Even holding a conversation was a Challenge .

" Now the difference is incredible. "

Mrs Creed is now urging others to consider organ donation.

" It is great to be able to do this for your husband, a member of your family or even Total Stranger , " She Said . " It's such A Gift to give for just a week of discomfort. "

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust's transplant lead specialist nurse Charlotte Crotty said: " Its 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. "

Following his transplant Mr Creed will be supporting Family Members who are to take on the Three Peaks Challenge - Climbing the UK's three highest mountains in 24 Hours - in September.

Supporters have already pledged £1,700, which will go to the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) charity.

" I'm not walking it myself but I'll be doing some driving and cooking to support, " Mr Creed said.

" We just want to give something back to a fantastic charity. "

Source of news: bbc.com