A Valentine's Day Love Story: Husband Gives Wife Gift Of Life

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa couple will celebrate Valentine's Day together Sunday due to a gift of love given 10 years ago.

In early 2009, Syrita Ford visited her doctor for a routine yearly checkup; it turned out to be far from routine. Although she hadn’t felt sick, Syrita learned her kidneys only functioned at 20 percent.

“Kidney failure is no picnic,” said Syrita, who began peritoneal dialysis at home.

Every night for nine months, Syrita’s husband, Rodney, connected her to a dialysis machine that helped to clean her blood by removing toxins and excess fluids.

“In our darkest hour of knowing I needed a kidney transplant, a stranger passed by our exam room, stopped in and shared her transplant experience with me and Rodney. Her confidence and positive attitude enlightened us, and helped us know we would be just fine,” said Syrita.

Syrita continued to work during the day and explored options for a transplant. When the couple learned that Syrita was eligible to receive a kidney from a living donor who was compatible, Rodney didn't hesitate to be tested.

He was a near perfect match.

“I was ecstatic. I have always thought donating my kidney was a great honor,” Rodney said.

In March 2010, Rodney and Syrita were admitted to the hospital, so Rodney could give his wife a second chance at life. Fifteen hours after the transplant surgery, Rodney walked into Syrita’s room and hugged his wife with relief with the knowledge they would have many more years together.

“The transplant for me was a multifaceted event. First, it was the best gift my husband ever gave me," said Syrita. "And the transplant freed me from being linked to the dialysis machine for eight hours each night. My quality of life was improved overnight."

“I love the experience of being a living donor," Rodney said. "It has been 3,962 days, 566 weeks since the transplant and my health is great."

More importantly, so is his wife's health. The couple is able to travel and spend quality time with friends and family.

Ten years later after Rodney's gift to Syrita, the couple regularly volunteer with LifeLink of Florida, the federally designated, nonprofit community service organization dedicated to facilitating organ and tissue donations for transplantation in west and southwest Florida.

They often speak at local churches, telling the story of how their faith and love led to a miracle.

“Speaking in a public forum is my favorite way to promote donation,” said Syrita.

When people see the healthy, happy couple standing in front of them, it also helps alleviate fears people have about becoming living donors.

“I enjoy knowing I have improved the quality of Syrita’s life. I feel extremely blessed to be a donor,” Rodney said.

On Sunday, the couple will not only celebrate Valentine's Day, they'll also celebrate National Donor Day, which falls on Valentine's Day every year.

Currently, there are 107,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, including 5,000 in Florida.

Some, like Syrita, can be saved with a donation of a kidney or tissue from a living donor. According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, nearly 6,000 living donations take place each year.

However, many of those awaiting a transplant depend on people who have consented to give their organs after they die.

By enrolling with the Donate Life Florida registry, people give permission for their organs to be used to save the lives of those in need of transplants. One donor has the potential to save eight lives through organ donations and 75 lives through tissue donations.

Anyone, regardless of their age or medical condition, can register as a donor online through the state Donate Life Florida registry.