When Reid Alexander joined Tinder last summer, he never expected to meet his future husband and find a new kidney at the same time.
“I had to grow up and take my health serious,” Alexander, who was was diagnosed with a renal failure disease when he was 17, tells his local news station.
Alport syndrome is an inherited disease that attacks the glomeruli, which are the tiny filtering units inside the kidneys. Currently, there is no specific treatment and doctors can only treat the symptoms and help slow the progression of kidney disease.
Most men with Alport syndrome reach end-stage kidney disease and kidney failure by their 40s or 50s.
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In August 2020, Alexander decided to make a big change in his life. He packed up all of his things and moved from Indiana to Colorado, where he soon met the love of his life, a man by the name of Rafael Diaz.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to get on Tinder,’ and we matched.”
A few days later, the guys went on their first date and, as Alexander puts it, “We’ve been together every day since. Literally, every day since we met.”
It was a perfect match.
The couple got engaged this past April. But just as their wedding plans began to take shape, Alexander had a major health scare and had to be placed on an organ transplant list.
That’s when Diaz checked to see if he could donate a kidney.
“He was very positive he was going to [be] a match,” Alexander says. “In the back of my head I was like, ‘It’s not going to work.’”
Turns out, the two were a perfect match. Again!
“Everything looks good, kidney’s working great,” Alexander says after the surgery, which was done on the eve of their one year anniversary. “He’s given me the opportunity to live a better life, a longer life, and now that I have a healthy kidney. We’re able to live our life to the fullest potential.”
“It’s not only for love,” Diaz adds. “We’re going to start to live this chapter in the life. If you can help someone else and give someone else life, do it.”
“We knew we were meant to be, but it just confirmed we were meant to be,” Alexander says. “Be a donor. It changes your life.”
Since the surgery, the couple’s friend has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money to pay down their medical expenses. So far, they’ve raised a little over $11,000 toward a $15,000 goal.
Seriously, someone get the Hallmark Channel on the phone, because this story needs to be made into a movie.
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Max
what a wonderful story!
Kangol2
A beautiful story! Take note, Hallmark!
Mr. Stadnick
Great story much better than the usual McCain hating. Maybe a bit more of this kind of story would make this site a bit redeemable and less guilty pleasure.
CatholicXXX
I thought gay active MSM couldn’t donate organs. When did the policy change?
otttovan
In Canada, at least, we can’t donate blood but organs are accepted on a case by case basis. I’m ineligible for blood donation for other reasons also (time spent living in the UK, psychiatric medications, etc.) but I’m registered as an organ donor.
Ricanthony
What a beautiful story. I have Alport’s Syndrome, as well. My kidneys failed at age 20. I am 44. I received my transplant from a friend 20 years ago. So far, so good after all these years. I hope his kidney lets him live a full, active, happy life.
whereshouldistart
Now that’s love in its purest form.
Peace and love to both of them. They make an adorable couple.
white-queer-african
What an amazing, beautiful story. So happy for both of them. I am a organ donor and also donate plasma every two weeks. In South Africa as a gay man that meets the criteria set out, I feel I am doing my small bit for mankind.
Gadfeal
They look so alike in haircut, facial grooming, coloring and clothing.
whateverokok
Nice story. Really touching. Except for the we just met less than a year ago and got married faster than two rabbits humping. This more than likely will end badly. I hope not, but It’s a good probability. Relationships between two men don’t usually last long anyway. This just adds fuel to the fire. But I wish them the best. Even if it may be short time. Live, love, and thrive.
Openminded
Reckon he’s got a prenup on the kidney?