PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Some stories sound like they’re written for the movies, but Jennifer and Ryan DeMarre call it a true love story.

For 25 years, the DeMarres created a perfect life for each other and their four kids. But behind those moments was an invisible challenge.

In 2009, Ryan was diagnosed with kidney disease. For years, the disease slowly progressed until this year, when doctors said he was in urgent need of a new kidney.

“His kidney function had rapidly declined, and he was to the point where he was just weeks away from needing dialysis, and he was not feeling great,” said Dr. Michelle Nguyen, a transplant surgeon at Mayo Clinic.

For Ryan, time was limited. That’s when Jennifer stepped up, offering to donate her kidney and found out that she was the perfect match.

On Nov.

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