She gave him her heart and he gave her his kidney

Friday, July 22nd 2005, 11:09 am

By: News On 6

A wonderful love story, Hollywood could make a movie about this one. A Tulsa couple is getting married next week, but it never would have happened or could have without a kidney transplant.

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells sat down with the couple Friday to talk about their story of the gift of love and a new life together. Candice Crossland and David Juergens are getting married next Friday. We got together at the Tulsa Garden Center to talk about it.

Candice even brought the wedding dress she'll wear. She never thought she would get the opportunity. She'd been on dialysis for five years when she met David Juergens in a class at NSU and a relationship began to develop. Candice tried to fight it. David: "In fact I'd go so far as to say she went out of her way to make sure I wouldn't get too involved." Candice: "I tried to run him off." Didn't work, when her efforts to find a suitable kidney for a transplant failed, he volunteered one of his. Then, last July on the 29th in Chicago, doctors transplanted one of his kidneys and Candice was immediately better. Candice: "man I wanted to get up and go and walk around."

She was getting stronger for the first time in years. On New Yearâ€™s Eve 5 months after the surgery David decided to make their relationship a permanent thing, so he grabbed her hand as the count down to midnight began. Candice: "I could feel this finger, this ring sliding up my finger, until when it got to midnight and down to one the ring was on and I was like."

They'll be married on the first anniversary of the transplant. There'll be a wedding cake and a birthday cake with one candle. David: "One year ago I gave her my kidney. I think it's appropriate that a year later I give her my heart."

Best of luck and congratulations.

After their wedding Candice and David are headed for the Bahamas on a cruise. If youâ€™d like more information about organ donation check out Lifeshare Oklahoma's web site.