Woman advertises for paired donation on Craigslist

This was in our local paper, the Abbotsford Times, March 12 2010

Lois Wilson knew one thing for sure. Her husband of 39 years needed a new kidney and she wasn't about to sit around waiting for something to happen. She was going to make it happen.

It was back in 1987 when Dave's health began to fail him. He was only 49 when he went on disability, no longer able to work. Later he discovered he had polycystic kidney disease (a genetic disease that he inherited) and in 2006 he started dialysis.

Dave, now 72 and a retired school teacher, needed a new kidney but no one in his family was a match for a transplant. That's when Lois decided to take matters into her own hands, and in 2008 she turned to the Internet.

A friend suggested that she go on Craigslist, and that, she explained, started a whole chain of events.

"You can't buy and sell kidneys," she said, "And I didn't want to do that. I didn't want to get anyone involved with the black market."

Basically she stated that she wanted to swap her kidney for one that would be suitable for her husband. Her message was posted for only one hour on Craigslist before it was removed, but in that time it caught the attention of several media outlets. CTV was the first to pick up the story in July 2008, followed by CBC Radio, she recalled.

Lois did several local TV interviews before the story went national and then all over North America, on CNN and Fox.

"It just sort of took off. As a result, I had a list of about 30 people who volunteered their kidneys but didn't want mine," she said.

After referring everyone to the BC Transplant Society, only one person out of the 30 turned out to be a match for Dave.

By coincidence, the matching donor lives in B.C. but wants to remain anonymous said Lois.

"At first he was a complete stranger," said Dave. "I asked him point blank 'why do you want to give me one of your kidneys?' and he said 'because I can. I've got two and I only need one.'" The Wilsons remain overwhelmed by the gesture.

"We're kind of still in shock," added Lois.

Dave is hoping the surgery will be a success, not only for himself, but because he doesn't want to disappoint the donor.

"It's hard to believe he'd give a stranger one of his kidneys," said Dave. "But I guess that's the way he looks at it. He only needs one and I need one, so why not share?"

The date of the surgery is now scheduled for March 24 at Vancouver General Hospital and after two cancellations, Dave is hoping the third time is the charm.

As president of the local chapter of the kidney foundation, Lois is an advocate for kidney patients, often speaking to groups about transplants and organ donation.

She's hoping Dave's story will reach other people and let them know they are not alone.