How did Amanda McCowen donate a kidney to her ex-husband's girlfriend, Angela Maples?

McCowen decided to test as a match after Maples suffered kidney failure and volunteered to donate, leading to a successful transplant.

What was the relationship between Amanda McCowen and Angela Maples before the kidney donation?

They had a hostile relationship for over a decade, primarily due to child custody issues, before overcoming their differences.

Did the kidney donation help heal family rifts between the ex-husband and McCowen?

Yes, the selfless act has led to a harmonious family dynamic with regular shared activities, fostering forgiveness and unity.

Home / Health / From Feud to Friendship: Woman Donates Kidney to Ex's Partner

From Feud to Friendship: Woman Donates Kidney to Ex's Partner

1 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A Texas woman donated a kidney to her ex-husband's girlfriend.
The two women overcame a decade of hostility for their children's sake.
The selfless act led to a successful transplant and renewed family bonds.

From Feud to Friendship: Woman Donates Kidney to Ex's Partner

Amanda McCowen, initially holding animosity towards her ex-husband's girlfriend, Angela Maples, transformed a decade-long rocky relationship into one of profound support. The animosity, largely stemming from custody disputes, began to dissolve when McCowen's sons moved to their father's home and she found herself leaning on Maples for comfort during her own second divorce. This shared vulnerability softened their hardened stances, leading to mutual forgiveness and a more harmonious co-parenting dynamic.

Maples later faced a severe health crisis when diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that led to kidney failure. As her condition deteriorated and potential donors fell through, McCowen made the life-altering decision to test as a match. Driven by a desire to give Maples a fighting chance, McCowen underwent the donation surgery in October, a procedure that stunned medical professionals as a first for their transplant program.