Palm desert kidney swap couple undergoes life-saving surgery, exchanging with another family
We first met Ana and Danny Morin in November. Ana needed a kidney transplant since hers started failing nearly 7 years ago.
She had been diagnosed with stage four kidney failure, operating at 15 percent. She needed dialysis at home, filtering her blood through a machine, for 10 hours each day.
The couple got word that Danny was a perfect transplant match for his wife! But then, their surgeon advised them there was another family in need.
“He asked me if we wanted to do a swap,” Danny said. “I’m a direct match to the brother that he was trying to donate to, and he’s a direct match to my wife Ana so it would just be a win-win situation.”
They were able to save two lives instead of one.
“It was easy because we know what it’s like to be going through dialysis and if we can help out another family, why not,” Ana said. “I think it was in God’s plan.”
The other family, previously anonymous, now revealed to be brothers Billy and Jesus Verduzco. Ana taking Billy’s kidney and Danny donating his to Jesus.
“They even said that they were praying for someone like us to come along so when we heard that from them we knew that was confirmation that we did the right thing,” Danny said.
A month after surgery, Ana is still recovering.
“Getting better every day,” Ana said. “Sit back take a break, reflect, and actually get to relax a little bit — doctor’s orders.”
The pair is working to raise awareness and inspire others.
“Just trying to boost the confidence in them and let them know that we’ve been there, we’ve done it, we’re living proof that you don’t give up and persevere through it,” Danny said.
For more information on how to donate organs, click here.
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