Stranger Donates Kidney After Seeing Mother’s Desperate Facebook Appeal

A mother of four in Wales has received a lifesaving kidney transplant after a complete stranger saw her appeal on Facebook and decided to become her donor.

Karen Davey, 41, had been searching for a kidney donor after her health deteriorated. With other options exhausted, she turned to social media to ask whether anyone might be willing to help.

Her post was seen by Gary Summerfield, who decided to get tested to see whether he could donate.

Tests showed that Summerfield was a suitable match. He subsequently donated one of his kidneys to Davey in an operation carried out in July 2026.

Summerfield said his decision came after reading Davey’s appeal and thinking about her family.

He told the BBC that he felt she needed one of his kidneys more than he needed two.

Davey had previously expressed her fear that her illness could prevent her from being there for her children. Following the transplant, her family described Summerfield’s decision as an extraordinary act of generosity that had given her another opportunity to remain a mother to her children.

The two families had not previously known each other. Their connection began with a social-media post that ultimately led to a donor match and a successful transplant.

Davey has since been recovering from the operation, while Summerfield has also been recovering after becoming a living kidney donor.

The story highlights how social media can sometimes connect people facing serious medical situations with strangers willing to help.

Sources:
BBC News — Mum’s Facebook kidney plea prompts ‘mind-blowing’ gift from total stranger