Wife's selfless act of love

Living together enhanced the compatibility of Gloria Morgan's kidney with husband Richard's body. Photo / Warren Buckland

Richard and Gloria Morgan were already close but her gift of a kidney has made the Napier couple's bond stronger.

They learned he had a hereditary kidney disease early in their married life, when he was in his late 20s.

Kidney recipients usually have to have a clear bill of health, unless one was gifted. She was unaware she could be a donor until she spoke to another wife-donor five years ago.

"My husband was ineligible to get the kidney from anyone else but me because he also has a cardiac history, so we needed to have it from a family member or friend, but the best match was me."

Living together enhanced their compatibility, lowering the chance of his body rejecting her tissue.

Three and a half years ago they went under the knife. Her only distress was waiting for the operation.

"I felt frustrated at having to go through all the tests to make sure I was a good donor and wouldn't be at a disadvantage in having one kidney."

He was very grateful. "The prospect of being long-term on dialysis felt bad. Before the operation I had dialysis for about a month and I must say it is quite a soul destroying thing, to be stuck there for that length of time. I would hate to be stuck there for the rest of my life as some people are," Richard said.

He didn't need to talk his wife into the operation. "She was more eager than I was. Naturally you are a little apprehensive about having a major operation and I was thinking how could I possibly put this burden on her, but she was very much for it."