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LOST HIS WIFE-SAVER

Kidney patient set for a life-saving transplant from his fiancée needs a new donor — because they have split

Teacher Jay Charles, 39, was set to receive a vital kidney from his fiancée Mel Greenall, 45, who was a 100,000-to-one match

A KIDNEY patient set for a life-saving transplant from his fiancée needs a new donor — because they have split.

Jay Charles, 39, was to have Mel Greenall’s organ after docs found she was a 100,000-to-one match.

 Jay Charles and fiancée Melanie Greenall, before the split
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Jay Charles and fiancée Melanie Greenall, before the splitCredit: Glen Minikin - The Sun

But anxiety ahead of the October op broke them up. Teacher Jay said: “The stress, fear and uncertainty got to us.

“There’s lots of counselling for people with cancer but nothing for kidney patients.

“With more support and guidance we’d still be together.

“Mel agreed to give up a kidney so I might live a normal life but that won’t happen now. I’m devastated.” Jay, of Whitby, North Yorks, was diagnosed with a rare blood condition and kidney failure aged 11.

 Jay thought he had found his lifesaver when doctors discovered that Mel was a 100,000-to-1 chance match
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Jay thought he had found his lifesaver when doctors discovered that Mel was a 100,000-to-1 chance matchCredit: Glen Minikin
 Following Mel's split from Jay, doctors said she could no longer be a donor for him, in case there was undue pressure
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Following Mel's split from Jay, doctors said she could no longer be a donor for him, in case there was undue pressureCredit: Glen Minikin - The Sun

He has had two kidney transplants but was told last October he needed a third.

Dance teacher Mel, 45, volunteered and was found to be a match in January. But the mum of two was told she was ruled out after their break up.

She said: “I told them I’d still like to donate. But they think it’s under duress and wouldn’t go for it.” Mel said Jay’s allergic reaction to dialysis ahead of the op helped doom their romance.

She said: “He was so exhausted he slept all day but at night he’d keep the whole house awake.

“We’re still friends, but it was very hard to live with him in that state.”


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