BEIJING: A young Chinese wife selflessly donated her kidney to her husband suffering from uraemia because she “did not want to lose him,” despite the success rate being less than 10 per cent.
In September, Liang, 25, donated her left kidney to her husband, Chung, at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.
Chung, 33, has congenital megaureter, a condition present from birth that involves an abnormally enlarged ureter. He underwent regular treatment for his condition, which progressed into uraemia four years ago.
Despite Chung’s illness, Liang married him in January last year and gave birth to their son shortly afterwards.
Chung had been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor for three years; however, doctors indicated that suitable donors for his blood type, O negative, are scarce, and he faced another two to seven years of waiting.
Unfortunately, Chung’s health did not permit further delays; he had even been hospitalised for acute heart failure once. It was during this time that Liang decided to donate one of her kidneys to him.
“I felt I was losing him. He might not have time to wait for a kidney donation,” Liang said.
Dr Zhao Jiqiang from the hospital’s organ transplant department stated that the couple were extremely fortunate to have matched successfully. Liang’s blood type is also O negative.
Additionally, a complement-dependent cytotoxicity test showed a negative result, indicating no antibodies that would cause organ rejection in the recipient’s body. The doctor noted that the test could easily have shown a contrary result, especially since Liang had given birth to Chung’s child the previous year.
Dr Zhao explained that the success rate of organ transplant between individuals who are not blood relatives is typically only five to 10 per cent.
Fortunately, the transplant was a success, and Liang’s kidney is functioning well in Chung’s body. He made a successful recovery and was discharged from the hospital on September 23.
Liang remarked afterwards that the surgical experience was “10 times more painful than delivering a baby.”
However, she expressed no regret.
“As long as my husband gets well, everything will be fine.”
Liang shared that her parents favoured her brother and did not want to raise her after their divorce. Consequently, she was raised by her grandmother.
She noted that Chung provided her with the love and family she had always desired.
“I would have done the same if it were me,” commented one online observer on Liang’s video.
“Such a wonderful wife. He should cherish her for life,” remarked another.
Some critics disapproved of Liang’s decision, predicting that she would regret it, noting that the bond between husband and wife is not as strong as that between blood relatives. Some even suggested that Chung should not have accepted Liang’s donation if he truly loved her.
To this, Liang responded: “We are not just lovers; we are family who will spend our lives together. True love means not rejecting your partner’s goodwill, but embracing it and valuing your body for the rest of your life.”
Dr Zhao also observed that it is rare for someone so young to have such a strong will to donate an organ in order to save their partner.
Chung stated that he would treat Liang better after his recovery. One of his biggest regrets was not being able to travel with her, and he hopes to take her around the world. - South China Morning Post
