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Sister's Gift: 50 Years on Kidney Transplant
20 Nov
Summary
- A 75-year-old woman celebrates 50 years post-kidney transplant.
- Her sister donated the life-saving kidney in a pioneering 1975 surgery.
- The transplant is among Canada's longest-lasting living donor transplants.
Fifty years ago, a groundbreaking procedure offered Mary Ann Crossett a second chance at life. Now 75, she reflects with deep gratitude on the historic kidney transplant that has sustained her for half a century. This incredible journey began in 1975 when her sister, Margaret Reardon, bravely volunteered to donate a kidney, undergoing a same-day surgery with Crossett at London Health Sciences Centre.
At the time, living donor kidney transplants were uncommon and carried significant risks. However, the sisters' near-perfect match and Reardon's selfless act paved the way for Crossett's remarkable recovery and longevity. Dr. Lakshman Gunaratnam of LHSC hailed the transplant's 50-year success as a testament to the progress in the field, noting that the average survival for a transplanted kidney is approximately 18 years.
Crossett's story is not just about survival but also about the profound bond between sisters, a connection further strengthened by this life-altering event. Now, as Reardon faces dementia, Crossett is dedicated to supporting her. Crossett also shares her experience to encourage others to consider organ donation, emphasizing the invaluable gift of life it offers.
