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After Unique Kidney Swap, Couples Finally Meet

ALLENTOWN — A year after two couples underwent unique kidney surgeries, they finally got a chance to meet at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. The Slov...

ALLENTOWN -- A year after two couples underwent unique kidney surgeries, they finally got a chance to meet at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown.

The Slovinskys are from Jermyn in Lackawanna County and the Normans are from Bucks County.

The meeting was emotional. The couples hugged and smiled, talked about their lives and how they are feeling now.

"We were excited to see them, very anxious because of what we've all been through as well as what it meant for us as well as them. We were excited,” said Mark Norman..

The last time they were together, the Normans and Slovinskys were on operating tables, unconscious and unaware of each other.

Monica Norman donated her kidney to Stanley Slovinsky. His wife, Barbara Slovinsky gave her kidney to Mark Norman.

"It kind of was a nice relief to finally see the people that I imagined. I was always imagining how well Stanley, my recipient was doing, so it was nice to see him walking in and looking good. Made me feel good,” said Monica Norman.

Mark Norman and Stanley Slovinsky had damaged kidneys due to hypertension also known as high blood pressure. Norman was on a transplant list for six months and Slovinsky for nearly three years when they each got calls.

Barbara Slovinsky was a universal donor, a match for her husband, but she chose to donate her kidney to Mark Norman, a man she didn't even know because he didn't have another match. In turn, Mark Norman's wife, Monica was a match for Stanley Slovinsky.

“I mean if I had just donated to him, he would have won but by splitting the donation by pairing it, four people won. You know, now we go hopefully to old age together,” said Barbara Slovinsky.

On December 10, 2014 all four went into operating rooms. It was the first transplant swap of its kind at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, called a compatible share.

“There's not enough kidneys to go around and then someone shared one they didn't even have to share and because she donated, then we have four people here who benefited,” said Dr. Lynsey Biondi, the kidney transplant surgeon who was also at Thursday night’s reunion.

The Slovinskys and Normans say they know their situation was a bit unusual, but it worked. It was a success and they want other people to know that and to consider that if they can possibly help others.

“These poor people went through the same thing we did, you know? And all the feelings that go through. She's part of me now and Barb is part of Mark so it's a fantastic feeling,” said Stanley Slovinsky.

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