When Tracy Jennings found she was a perfect match to donate a kidney to her husband there was one big problem – her size.
Husband Tim, 53, was told he would die without a transplant, and by a million to one chance, Tracy was a suitable donor.
But at 15 stone, she was too overweight to guarantee a successful op. So she vowed to slim down to 10 stone to save Tim’s life.
Tracy, 52, said: “I didn’t think twice about it. This operation will turn his life around. That’s what you do for people you love.”
Tim has had kidney failure since he was a child and has already had one kidney given to him by his father after those he was born with failed.
But last year he was told the replacement organ was failing and he would die without a new one.
Tracy had wanted to lose weight for years and the news she was a match was the boost she needed.
She joined a local slimming club in Brighton and, thanks to a strict healthy diet and regular exercise, she is now just 10 stone and able to donate a kidney in an op next month.
Tracy said: “As soon as I knew I could save his life that was it, I was going to slim. It means the world to be able to this for him.
"And now I have a bit of a bargaining tool if I ever want something from him.”
Tim said: “I’m very proud of her and grateful.
"I can’t think of a more special thing a wife can do for her husband.”