Husband Asking People on the Street for a Kidney for His Wife Gets One
An elderly South Carolina man whose wife's only kidney was failing became concerned that their time together would run out before her name reached the top of the waiting list, so he did what any loving husband would do: He walked the streets of his hometown for a year asking strangers for a spare kidney.
Jimmie Sue Swilling was born with just one kidney, which wasn't a problem until she encountered complications following the birth of the couple's third child.
Since then her health has been deteriorating, and it became necessary to replace her failing organ.
Unfortunately, none of her immediate family members were suitable donors, so Larry, her husband of 56 years, decided to put on a sandwich board that reads "need kidney 4 wife" and walk around downtown Anderson looking for someone willing to help.
This week the couple was finally informed that a perfect donor was found, and the Swillings are crediting the media attention garnered by Larry's sign with ensuring a happy ending.
"I knew it was going to happen because I know him," Jimmie Sue told WHNS. "He wouldn't have stopped until he got me one."
A few more tests are needed, but the Medical University of South Carolina expects Jimmie Sue to have a brand new kidney by this time next week.
