31.03.2026 14:30
Fatma Solmaz, 71 years old, who lost 15 kilos in 9 months to donate her kidney to her son-in-law Şeref Ardil, whose kidneys failed in Manisa, said, "I wanted my children to be happy."
Şeref Ardil (55), who lives in Manisa, was diagnosed with kidney failure due to high blood pressure in the early 2000s. Ardil, whose kidney failed in 2005 and who lived on dialysis for 5 years, clung to life with a transplant from a cadaver in 2009. However, with this kidney also losing its function in 2024, the challenging dialysis process began again for Şeref Ardil.
SHE DONATED HER KIDNEY TO HER SON-IN-LAW
Fatma Solmaz (71), the mother of Ardil's wife Nurşen Ardil, donated her kidney to Ardil, who has been receiving treatment for 18 months. On March 24, a team led by Uzm. Dr. Işık Özgü, including Uzm. Dr. Uğur Saraçoğlu, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Töz, Assoc. Dr. Ebru Sevinç Ok, Assoc. Dr. Mert Akan, Uzm. Dr. Alihan Pirim, and Uzm. Dr. Gökhan Ekin, transplanted the kidney taken from Solmaz to her son-in-law. Fatma Solmaz, who was discharged just 3 days after the surgery, returned home in good health.
"I HAVE NO PAIN OR SUFFERING"
Fatma Solmaz, who volunteered for her son-in-law's first surgery, said, "At that time, it was from a cadaver. Now that his kidneys have failed again, I wanted to voluntarily give my kidney. My son-in-law has gone through a lot of difficulties. It is very hard to go on dialysis. I was very sad to see him like that. I was not afraid of the surgery at all. I said, 'The life given by God will be taken by God.' I want everyone to follow my example and donate organs without fear or hesitation. I have no pain or suffering. I wanted my children to be happy," she said.
"I LOST 15 KILOS IN 9 MONTHS"
When the transplant process began, Solmaz, whose body mass index was found to be over 35, stated that she needed to lose weight to be eligible for the transplant procedure, explaining that she followed a strict diet and walking program for 9 months. Fatma Solmaz, who stated that she dropped from 89 kilos to 74 kilos, said, "I am a villager, I love bread, but I didn't eat. I couldn't stand my son-in-law's suffering," she expressed.
"I AM GRATEFUL TO MY MOTHER"
Şeref Ardil, who expressed his gratitude to his mother-in-law, whom he addresses as "Mother," said, "I got sick in 2000, and we started dialysis in March 2005. We were put on the organ list in 2009, and there was a cadaver available there. Before that, my mother said, 'Son, don't struggle, I will give my kidney.' I said, 'I am young, let's get on the list.' The transplant from the cadaver sustained me until the 10th month of 2024. My mother and I have been going to the hospital for about 10 months. Thanks to our doctors, we had the transplant. We are happy," he said.
"SHE RESTORED MY HEALTH"
Ardil, who stated that he had no issues with his mother-in-law during their 30 years of marriage, said, "I lost my biological mother in 2017. My mother-in-law restored my health; no matter how much I thank her, it is not enough," he said.
"THIS IS A MATTER OF THE HEART"
Evaluating the operation, Assoc. Dr. Ebru Sevinç Ok emphasized that age alone is not an obstacle, stating:
"Our patient actually has long-term kidney failure. She had previously received a transplant from a cadaver. However, after a while, that kidney also experienced dysfunction, so she returned to dialysis. Therefore, she needed another transplant or to continue hemodialysis three times a week. During this process, we investigate whether there is a living donor in her family. However, since there was no one compatible with her in her family, her mother-in-law volunteered as the most suitable donor. Legally, your fourth-degree relatives or your spouse's fourth-degree relatives can be donors. But of course, when it comes to volunteering, no one can compare to a person's mother, but there are also very beautiful volunteer mothers-in-law like this. Although rarely, we encounter them. Our donor needed to lose weight. Considering her age, we had doubts, but she lost 15 kilos with great determination. This is truly a matter of the heart. Legally, there is no obstacle to a transplant between a mother-in-law and a son-in-law; what matters is the willingness to donate."