Man Celebrates 4th Wedding Anniversary by Donating Kidney to Wife
Matt Soal pulled off the ultimate anniversary gift—he gave his wife Kylie a kidney. The couple from Bursledon marked their fourth wedding anniversary at QA Hospital on April 20, just hours after Matt’s life-saving transplant to Kylie.
Shock Kidney Failure Diagnosis
Life took a sudden turn in December when Kylie was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. She had suffered exhaustion and vomiting for weeks but never suspected anything serious. “I’ve always felt perfectly healthy,” Kylie, who works for Hampshire County Council, said. “It was a massive shock.”
She began dialysis quickly, but doctors confirmed a kidney transplant was her only chance.
Family Steps Up, But Husband Takes the Lead
Kylie’s mother, sister, brother, and husband Matt all proved to be suitable donors. But Matt, 25, was determined to be the one to save his wife.
“I would do anything for her. I just said to the doctors ‘take all the bits you need from me’,” Matt said. “I was hugging all my work mates when I got the call that I was a match and could donate.”
The surgeries on April 19 took four hours for Matt and two hours for Kylie. Both are now recovering well and looking forward to life ahead. A donated kidney can last up to 20 years before another transplant might be needed.
Ultimate Anniversary Present
“It’s hard to know what to get for a wedding anniversary, but I think a kidney fits the bill,” Matt joked. “Kylie is doing brilliantly and I haven’t regretted it for a second. I was terrified going into theatre but never thought about backing out. I’d do it all again—though I’ve been told you need at least one kidney!”
This week marks UK Kidney Week, highlighting the importance of donors and support for kidney patients nationwide.
