When kidney patient Zoe Richards needed a transplant, doctors began a worldwide search for a rare donor match – but incredibly it was found close to home, in her best friend.
Rosie Morgan, 26, watched on helplessly as her beloved friend Zoe Richards, 40, battled kidney disease for three years.
Doctors told Zoe that she urgently needed a transplant last year and a worldwide search began for a match.
Rosie decided to get secretly tested to find out if there was a remote chance that she could donate her organ.
In an astonishing twist of fate she found out she was a rare match - and was able to save Zoe’s life.
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The friends went under the knife at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff last month and are now recovering.
Rosie, of Bridgend, South Wales, said: “Zoe had always been relatively healthy, but she felt constantly tired and run down.
“It got to the point where she had to quit her job because she was too ill to work the long hours. She felt so low.
“I felt helpless. Nothing prepares you for seeing your friend like that, but I knew I had to stay strong and be there for her.
“While getting tested, I was told how rare it would be for us because we are from different backgrounds.
“Zoe is mixed race, so I prepared myself for the worst news. But it was a miracle.
“Everything happens for a reason, and this was obviously meant to be.
“I called Zoe, and it was the most emotional phone call we’ve ever made.
“She’s a very kind person, and at first, she didn’t want me to risk my health and go through with it.
“But I didn’t want to do this for her, I wanted to do it for the both of us.
“We’ve been through everything together; I wasn’t going to let her go through it alone.”
Grateful Zoe said: “Since the transplant, it’s incredible how my health has instantly changed.
“I can’t put into words how grateful I am to Rosie. I’m truly indebted to her for giving me the gift of life.”
