Action 3 News | Molli Graham
Omaha, NE - A special wedding present from a bride to a groom. Two days after their wedding, a Red Oak, Iowa woman gives her new husband the gift of life. Tonight, this amazing story of love.
In sickness, "You're poisoning yourself, you're dying of your toxins," and in health, "I told him when the time came I'd give him my kidney." The vows newlyweds Kelley Agard and Rick White spoke to each other recently would quickly be put to the test. Rick is suffering from kidney disease, both of his kidneys were failing. Then, his new bride offers a transplant, just two days after they tie the knot. "So many people die waiting for a transplant," says Kelley Agard.
Rick's name on a 5-year waiting list for a donor kidney. After seeing six of his family members die on dialysis and burying Rick's sister, Kelley finds out she is a match to donate. Doctor Michael Morris, on the kidney transplant team at the Nebraska Medical Center, not surprised. "Not once you meet them," laughs Dr. Morris. The couple also laughs bashfully, "That's really nice of him." All joking aside, Dr. Morris insists it's easier to prove positive for a match these days and the operation for the donor is much less invasive. "It's a lot easier than it used to be, the operation has changed a lot."
Within hours of the surgery Rick's health is drastically better. Aside from some pain, Kelley is in pretty good shape too. Now, two weeks after surgery and their vows to each other, the happy couple sits surrounded not by wedding presents, but hopes for a healthy recovery.
The two bringing a whole new meaning, to the words, 'till death do us part. "She saved my life, she made my life worth saving," says a smiling Rick.
The team of doctors and nurses at the Nebraska Medical Center, key in Kelley and Rick's quick recovery. Today, is their two week anniversary of the surgery. The couple preaches the importance of being an organ donor. Right now, 108,000 people sit on the waiting list for kidneys.
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