Garden Grove Couple Donates Pair Of Kidneys To Save Lifelong Friend, Her Husband

From the friendships formed on the playground to the brotherhood formed through shared experiences, Chris Morales is forever grateful to his friend Debbie Thompson and her husband when they donated their kidneys to save her and her husband, Ron.

"Let's go back in time," Chris said.

The two best friends first met in third grade while growing up in Westminster. They became close through their high school cheerleading and moved in together after high school. These two women even became each other's servants. Despite shared memories and experiences, the friendship between the friends was strengthened when doctors diagnosed Chris with debilitating polycystic kidney disease 7 years ago.

"My kidneys are starting to fail," he said. "They said that I need a kidney transplant."

After learning of her best friend's grave diagnosis, Debbie stepped in and offered her her own kidney. Miraculously, they coincided.

"I just said I have a kidney and if I'm healthy enough I can do it." "I want to give it to him. I can't work without Chris."

The process of testing and transplanting Debbie Chris' kidney took about eight months. Despite the success of the operation, the two women have little time to rest.

In 2020, Ron has kidney problems.

"He asked me how you were feeling," said Ron. "I'm tired," I said. He says: you are very tired. Your kidney is missing.

Ronnie nearly died of kidney failure.

"He struggled," Chris said. "He was very sick. We almost lost him a few times before he could see."

That's when Debbie's husband, Brad Thompson, took a page from his wife's book.

"When Ronnie needed me, I said, 'Shoot, I'll give him mine,'" Brad said.

Again, miraculously, those two coincided. A doctor completes a transplant at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

"He has no idea how thankful and grateful I am for that," Ron said.

Now with the same four scars, Morales is grateful for the rest of their lives with the Thompsons.

“We are so grateful to have two kidneys,” Chris said. "Thank you Debbie and thank you Brad for the gift of life."