John Church, left, kidney donor, and Stephen Smith, kidney transplant recipient, were nicknamed "The Kidney Bros." by friends.

Stephen Smith, 64, of East Greenbush, left, received a kidney donated from his best friend and former coworker, John Church, 60, of Delmar, on March 25. Both are doing well and plan to celebrate their six-month transplant anniversary in September with a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

ALBANY — Friends call them “The Kidney Bros.”

Former co-workers and longtime friends John Church and Stephen Smith earned the nickname on March 25 after several hours of surgery on separate operating tables across the hall from each other at Albany Medical Center.

Church, 60, of Delmar, donated a kidney to his best buddy, Smith, 64, of East Greenbush.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

“My wife is spiritual and believes we come into this world for one thing,” Church said. “I feel what I did for Stephen is my one thing.”

“It’s an extraordinary gift that John gave me,” Smith said. “I am blessed.”

Fourteen weeks after a successful transplant procedure, a medically complex and emotionally intense experience, the lighthearted sense of humor they share remains fully intact.

“Stephen has shown no signs of craving the foods I like or the fact that I love superhero movies,” Church said with a grin.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

“No, but my friends call John a hero,” Smith said. “And he’ll get into heaven before me now.”

They met in 1989 when both worked at the law........

© Times Union