What is ANCA Vasculitis and how did it affect Heston Gray?

ANCA Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that attacked Heston Gray's kidneys, causing them to fail and requiring him to undergo dialysis.

How did Holly Gray help Heston Gray with his kidney transplant?

Holly Gray became a patient care technician at Heston's dialysis center and later donated her kidney through a paired exchange program.

What is a paired kidney exchange transplant program?

A paired exchange allows donors who are not a match for their intended recipient to donate to someone else, while their intended recipient receives a kidney from another donor in the program.

Home / Health / Wife Donates Kidney, Cuts Husband's Wait Time by 90%

Wife Donates Kidney, Cuts Husband's Wait Time by 90%

27 Nov

•

Summary

A life-threatening illness led to a hospital stay and kidney failure.
A wife joined her husband's dialysis center as a technician.
Through a paired exchange, a wife's donation dramatically reduced wait time.

Wife Donates Kidney, Cuts Husband's Wait Time by 90%

Heston Gray's life took a dramatic turn when what he thought was a sinus infection led to a severe diagnosis of ANCA Vasculitis. This autoimmune disease rapidly affected his kidneys, resulting in a lengthy hospital stay and the need for dialysis. While Heston underwent treatment, his wife Holly found a new purpose.

Inspired by her husband's care team, Holly transitioned from her finance career to become a patient care technician at the same dialysis center. This move brought her closer to understanding Heston's experience. Their bond strengthened further when Holly enrolled in a paired kidney exchange program.

Though not a direct match for Heston, Holly's kidney donation to another patient initiated a chain that drastically shortened Heston's wait for a transplant, boosting his chances by 90%. This selfless act exemplifies the profound impact of organ donation, offering hope for Heston's future transplant and recovery.