how one woman's kidney transplant defied medical odds
Amsterdam, dinsdag, 10 februari 2026.
former rtl news anchor diana matroos has released a deeply personal documentary titled ‘leven geven – a love story’. it reveals her decades-long battle with kidney disease and the extraordinary transplant that saved her life. the most striking detail is that her partner rené donated his kidney despite having a mismatched blood type—a rare and risky decision. few transplants succeed under such conditions. this act of love allowed matroos to regain her health after years of dialysis and hospital stays. now fully recovered, she and the nierstichting aim to boost awareness around living organ donation. thousands still wait for a donor. her story could inspire new conversations across the netherlands.
a lifelong fight against kidney disease
Diana Matroos has lived with kidney disease since childhood. Diagnosed at just five years old, she faced a lifetime of medical challenges [2]. For decades, she managed her condition while building a career as a prominent RTL News presenter. By 2022, her kidney function dropped below 20%, signaling the urgent need for a transplant [5]. Regular dialysis became necessary as her body struggled to filter waste. This marked the beginning of a grueling period filled with hospital visits and declining energy levels [5]. Her experience reflects the daily reality for many chronic kidney patients in the Netherlands [GPT].
love overcoming medical barriers
Her partner René Louter stepped forward to donate a kidney despite initial complications. Blood tests revealed a mismatch in their blood types, which typically disqualifies donation due to rejection risks [2]. Doctors decided to proceed using plasma exchange therapy to reduce antibodies [5]. This innovative approach made the transplant possible. “René is the great hero of this film,” Matroos stated, acknowledging his sacrifice [5]. The successful surgery took place in 2022 after careful preparation and evaluation [2]. Such interventions remain rare but offer hope for incompatible donor pairs [GPT].
from illness to advocacy
After recovery, Matroos channeled her experience into public awareness. She partnered with the Nierstichting to create the documentary ‘Leven Geven – A Love Story’ [2]. Released on February 10, 2026, it premiered at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam before going online [2]. The film aims to spark national dialogue about living organ donation [5]. Thousands await kidneys in the Netherlands, with over 1,200 people on the deceased donor waiting list [2]. Living donations can shorten waits and improve outcomes significantly [GPT].
sparking conversation through storytelling
Matroos hopes her story encourages families to discuss organ donation openly. She compared early hesitations to fearing a ‘wrong Tupperware party’ where organs are exchanged [5]. Now, she strongly recommends such discussions for all patients. The documentary highlights both emotional and logistical aspects of finding a living donor [2]. According to the Nierstichting, kidneys from living donors last twice as long on average [2]. This makes each donation critically valuable amid growing demand [GPT]. Her message centers on giving life—an act she credits to René’s courage [2].