Wife Donates Kidney To Save Husband's Life: 'We Just Had Faith'

LINDENHURST, NY - "In sickness and in health" now means something different for Lindenhurst couple Vincent and Jacqueline Streffacio.

In 2017, Vincent found out that he was in kidney failure. He immediately needed to start dialysis and was put on the transplant list. Things got even worse about two months later when he was hospitalized with pneumonia and had to wait even longer, until he was completely healthy, to be put on this list.

"I spent 10 months going back and forth for treatment, three times a week," he said at a press conference. "It’s a very hard way to live."

Little did he know, by the following year, his wife of nearly 16 years would be giving him one of the best gifts — and just in time for Valentine's Day.

The two met as kids when she was just 9-years-old and he was 12-years-old since he was a friend of her cousin. It wasn't until they were in their 20s when they got together but they've been inseparable since then.

"There really wasn't a doubt in my mind when I found out he needed a kidney," Jacqueline told Patch. "I took a vow of marriage and there wasn't a thought in mind not to do it for him or my two daughters."

As soon as the family found out that Vincent needed a kidney, the first thing his wife thought to do was get tested.

"There was never a doubt in my mind I was going to get tested," she said.

She was approved for surgery last November after all her testing came back positive, but decided to wait until after the holidays to donate her kidney.

"Deep down inside I knew it was going to work out," Jacqueline said. "All along the way we were getting signs, but we just had faith and believed that it was going to work out."

So on Jan. 5, Vincent went for his last dialysis treatment. Two days later, the couple underwent surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset to help save his life.

According to Jacqueline, the surgery went "amazing."

"Sometimes when you do a transplant there is a possibility of having a couple more treatments of dialysis but he didn't need it," she said. "The doctors said when they attached the kidneys it immediately started working."

A true testament to their love, Jacqueline says she was never once worried about herself during the surgery. Her thoughts were completely on her husband.

"My concern was that it wasn't going to work and that he was going to reject the kidney," she said. "My concern wasn't 'what's going to happen to me?' My concern was him."

Now, Jacqueline has resumed her normal life and has even already gone back to work. While she has to now maintain a healthy lifestyle, she says her life has not changed at all since donating a kidney.

Vincent is doing well also, she said. Since he works in the health care field, he has to wait a few more months before returning back to work due to risk of infection. He also needs to be on medication for the rest of his life, but its a small price to pay for a brand new working kidney.

As a thank you to his wife, Vincent presented her with a dozen long-stem red roses during the press conference.

"I realize there’s no way I can ever repay her for what she did for me," he said. "All I can do is tell her that I love her every day and how happy I am to be here with my family. I knew from our first date that she was a perfect match for me."

As for their 13 and 9-year-old daughters, they are just happy to have them both home. Jacqueline said they're all looking forward to doing things as a family without having to worry about dialysis.

The Streffacio's success story is inspiring them to spread awareness about organ donation and encourage more people to consider donating.

"The benefits really outweigh the risks," Jacqueline said.

In addition, the family has received a ton of support from the Lindenhurst community, where they have lived for the past 13 years.

"It's a great community, it truly is," Jacqueline, who is a member of the local football/cheerleading league, said.

She credits her local neighbors, local businesses, her daughters' schools and the PTA for providing services or support to the family.