Husband Donates His Kidney to His Wife After Her First Transplant Fails

A husband in England has donated one of his kidneys to his wife after her previous transplant began to fail, allowing the couple to look forward to life together without the routine of dialysis.

Fiona and Phil Hulbert, both 55 and from Doncaster, have been married for 31 years. Fiona had been living with kidney disease for years and had already received a kidney from her brother 18 years ago. When that kidney began to fail, she spent 15 months undergoing dialysis four times a week.

Phil was tested as a possible donor. After months of medical examinations confirmed that he was suitable, the couple agreed to proceed with a transplant at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

The operation, however, proved more complicated than doctors initially expected. Surgeons had planned to remove Phil’s kidney using minimally invasive keyhole surgery, but they discovered an unusually large amount of tissue around the organ. The medical team eventually switched to open surgery.

More than seven hours after the operation began, and with additional surgeons called in to assist, Phil’s kidney was successfully removed.

The kidney was then transferred to Fiona. Doctors carefully prepared the organ before transplanting it into her body later that evening.

There was an immediate sign that the transplant was working. Once the kidney was connected and blood began flowing through it, the organ started producing urine almost immediately.

Transplant surgeon Avneesh Kumar said the kidney had begun functioning straight away, describing the result as encouraging.

Five weeks after the operation, the couple were recovering at home. Phil said he was still sore from the larger-than-planned operation, but Fiona was feeling significantly better.

For Fiona, the change has been especially significant after months of dialysis. She said she was grateful to her husband for going through the operation for her.

The couple told the BBC that their hope now is to return to a more ordinary life together. They have a 26-year-old daughter and enjoy travelling in their caravan and walking their Cocker Spaniel, Paddy.

Phil said he had no regrets about donating his kidney. Referring to the marriage vows they made more than three decades ago, he explained that supporting his wife through illness was part of being her partner.

The Hulberts also agreed to allow the BBC to film their transplant journey to highlight living kidney donation. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals said that in 2025 it carried out 60 kidney transplants, including 19 involving living donors, while around 230 patients were waiting for a kidney donor match at the trust.

For Fiona and Phil, the operation marks the end of a difficult period dominated by illness and treatment — and the beginning of a chance to spend more time together simply as husband and wife.

Sources:
BBC News – “He’s always been by my side – now he’s given me his kidney”
AOL – Husband donates his unusually large kidney to wife
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust