An 84-year-old Texas man became the oldest kidney donor in the US after giving his to his 72-year-old neighbor.
Linda Nall, from Austin, was diagnosed with lupus more than 30 years ago, in 1986.
Despite being put on several medications, her condition began deteriorating to such an extent that she was told she was in dire need of a kidney transplant.
She began a social media campaign and stuck a sign in her front lawn that read: 'I am [blood] type O and I need a kidney transplant.'
When Frank Dewhurst, who lives six doors down from her and is the former president of the Homeowner's Association, paid her a visit, she assumed it was about official matters - perhaps that her lawn post needed to be taken down.
Instead, Dewhurst told her that he also had type O blood and wanted to donate his kidney to her.
After undergoing months of testing, Dewhurst was found to be a perfect match for Nall.
Frank Dewhurst, 84, of Austin, Texas, donated his kidney to his neighbor, Linda Nall, 72, making him the oldest kidney donor in the US. Pictured: Nall, right, with Dewhurst a few days after the transplant
Nall (left and right) was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack its own tissues and organs, in 1986. Her kidneys began scarring and doctors told her that her best chance of survival was to find a living donor
'When he told me he wanted to give me his kidney, I was shocked,' Nall said, according to a news release from Houston Methodist Hospital, where the surgery occurred.
'It's an incredible thing he has done for me and I am so grateful.'
Nall was 39 years old when she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack your own tissues and organs.
The internal inflammation can affect several different body parts including the skin, blood cells, kidneys and lungs.
Lupus is often hard to diagnose the disease because the signs and symptoms can mimic other conditions including arthritis and fibromyalgia, a disease that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints, of which Lady Gaga is a known sufferer.
According to the National Resource Center on Lupus, an estimated 1.5 million Americans live with the disease.
Among those suffering is singer Selena Gomez, who revealed her diagnosis in 2016.
1. Make sure the donor's and recipient's blood are compatible
2. Tissue-typing blood test, which looks at the number of genetic markers the donor and recipient share
3. Cross-matching blood test, which is to ensure the recipient will react to the new kidney
Other tests in no
