S’pore wife, 39, donates kidney to husband, 43, as she didn’t want him to spend rest of his life on dialysis

A woman in Singapore donated one of her kidneys to her husband after he developed kidney failure, hoping to give him a better quality of life and more time with their children.

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, 39-year-old Lin Simei (transliteration) said she volunteered for a compatibility test after her husband's father and brother were found unsuitable donors.

This came after she gave birth to their second child.

Kidney disease

Her husband, 43-year-old Lin Zewei (transliteration), was diagnosed with hereditary polycystic kidney disease as a teenager.

His kidney function worsened sharply in late 2023, and he began dialysis three times a week in 2024.

The treatment left him physically and mentally exhausted, he told Zaobao.

He often finished dialysis at around 9pm, leaving him with little time or energy to spend with his children.

A kidney donation

Simei and Zewei were found to be a suitable match and underwent a successful kidney transplant at Singapore General Hospital in October 2025.

“I don't want him to spend the rest of his life on a dialysis machine. I only hope that my partner can have a better quality of life and that he can be there for our children as they grow up,” Simei told Zaobao.

Reflecting on her decision, Simei said she had weighed the risks as both a wife and a mother.

Ultimately, she chose to focus on what they could do in the present rather than worry about the uncertainties of the future.

A new lease on life

After a year of recovery, Zewei has returned to his daily routine and is enjoying more time with his family, Zaobao reported.

He has more energy to play with their two young children, although he will need to take anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life and remain vigilant about food hygiene to prevent infections.