Dating app brought wedding bells and transplant joy

The couple met online but then found they lived only 10 minutes apart

A man who met his wife via a dating app has revealed he not only found love but also a match for his kidney transplant.

Steven Murfin, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, had been forced to leave two jobs due to declining health after being diagnosed with kidney problems in 2014.

He had been left feeling isolated during the pandemic until he met Julie online. They married in 2022 and she then proved to be a match for a transplant just a year later.

Mr Murfin, 65, said: "A massive thank you goes to Julie and all of the doctors and nurses who helped me through it all."

Steven Murfin's kidney function steadily declined until it was only 10% of normal

Following a routine check in 2014, Mr Murfin was told his kidney function had fallen to just 24%.

After a series of hospital visits and tests, it was found his kidneys were leaking fluid.

He said: "A week later, after the tests, I returned to work, but after four days, my legs swelled up badly, and sadly, I had to give up my job as a truck driver.

"For six months, I was back and forth to the hospital, and then I found another job in mental health care, and all was going well up until 2020."

By December 2020, Mr Murfin had begun dialysis treatment as his kidney function had dropped to only 10%.

Mr Murfin said Julie kept him going through numerous appointments and disappointments

He said: "During this time Covid was around, my family lived in Derby, and I never realised what a big deal this was until the new year began.

"It hit me hard; I had to give up my new job under health and safety rules. I was on my own, and the only person I saw was my nurse coming in and checking I was OK.

"I felt mentally low, as I just thought this was it until I was offered a new kidney. It was a lonely time, but I kept doing my life-saving dialysis treatment."

Isolated and overwhelmed, his spirits were lifted when he met someone online.

"I met Julie through online dating, and she just kept me going. It turned out we lived only 10 minutes apart.

"After lockdown ended, I decided to meet Julie for the very first time, and she was so supportive.

"She then started to take me to the hospital for my appointments, and she was also there through every transplant call I had received," Mr Murfin said.

'I want you well'

Despite several transplant offers, none were suitable until Mrs Murfin herself underwent nearly a year of testing to confirm she could be a donor.

Mrs Murfin, also 65, said: "When I first saw the picture of him online, I thought he looked like an amazing and genuine guy, with a kind face, which I fell for straight away.

"I didn't take donating lightly; I did the research. He meant the world to me, and I wanted to make him better."

Mr Murfin said: "I was really nervous for her; it's such a big thing.

"In May 2023, all went well on the day, we celebrated a year later after the operation and we are both doing really well.

"A massive thank you goes to Julie and all of the doctors and nurses who helped me through it all."

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