The surgeries took place Thursday at the University of Illinois at Chicago hospital. Jacqueline Liggins, of Chicago, needed a kidney, and her son Jarvis Smith wanted to donate one of his. However, he was not a match.
Then the two were asked if they would take part in a kidney swap. Jarvis donated his kidney to Anibal Negron, and Negron's ex-wife gave one of hers to Jacqueline.
"I believe everything that I've ever wanted to do, I'll be able to do it now," said Liggins.
"I figured as long as she can be healthy, I would do anything possible," Smith said.
"He's a young man, and you know, I know he did it for his mom, but I feel very fortunate because I think he saved my life, too," Negron said.
Negron also said he was looking forward to going back to college to earn his degree in finance. Liggins says she's eager to get back to work.
