Norfolk's first kidney swap a success

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - After three hours on the operating table, a hospital spokesman was happy to report that Jacki Bruce now has a functioning kidney obtained through Norfolk's first kidney swap. Tuesday morning, Jacki's husband, Collin, donated his kidney to a patient in another state.

WAVY.com spoke to the couple a few days ago.

"He's absolutely amazing, that he's willing to give up an organ for m," Jacki said. 

"It was a relatively easy decision for me," Collin countered. "The woman that I love is suffering and I have it in my power to make life a little bit better for her."

Collin's kidney was not a match for Jacki's so Tuesday morning he donated it to someone else. In return, Jacki received a kidney from a donor in another state.

"I'll be out and in recovery when she goes in," Collin said.

The doctors at Sentara Norfolk General have done dozens of transplants, but a kidney swap is a first. They coordinated with hospitals in two other states for Tuesday's procedure.

While Collins's organ is harvested in Norfolk, someone in another state is donating a kidney to Jacki. A third hospital will receive Colin's kidney for another recipient.

Right now, Collin is in recovery and doing well, as surgeons complete Jacki's surgery.