Wife to give husband her kidney

A Telford woman was today set to donate one of her kidneys to her husband after beating odds of a million to one to be a match.

Oriel Anderson, of Coalport, was due to be taken into theatre this morning, followed closely by husband, Ian.

Mr Anderson, whose kidneys failed after being diagnosed with a rare illness, has been undergoing dialysis three times a week for 18 months.

The 52-year-old, who loved mountain biking and walking with his wife, was forced to give up work.

But now, after having his last dialysis treatment on Friday, the father-of-five is looking forward to finally getting his life back on track.

Mrs Anderson, 42, said they had been counting down the days and were both looking forward to the transplant taking place. She said the chances of her being a match for Ian were about a million to one as they were not related by blood.

The transplant was scheduled to go ahead at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital at 8.30am today.

“We haven’t got any nerves,” she said beforehand.

Doctors have told Mrs Anderson she will need six weeks to recover, while it will take about three months for her husband. Mr Anderson has praised his wife, saying he was overjoyed she was giving him his life back.