By writer to www.kcrg.com
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Many households and buddies this time of yr are getting collectively for the vacations, however for the Etten and Burge households, it’s about celebrating life.
Nick Etten, left, and John Burge, proper, on the time of the kidney donation in late 2009 (KCRG File)
For the previous decade, the 2 households would get dinner collectively on December 13 as a celebration of the day Nick Etten gave his kidney to Jack Burge.
“It solely took a kidney donation to make a lifelong buddy,” Burge mentioned, jokingly. “He’s now a part of the household.”
This yr is the 10th anniversary of that surgical procedure. It began after Burge’s son made a Fb publish and Etten responded instantly after seeing it.
“I had no concept who he was on the time, or that my buddy’s dad was sick,” he mentioned. “I’ve acquired to expertise John’s prolonged life.”
Having gone from not understanding one another to being like household, the 2 now spend a number of time collectively: Iowa soccer video games, organ donations, and household occasions whereas additionally discussing the necessity for organ donors.
At the moment, within the state of Iowa, there are greater than 620 folks in want of organs.
“It’s nothing to worry you realize we should always all join and I’ll be part of it,” Etten mentioned.
It makes a connection that lasts a lifetime.
“There are not one of the folks on this world like Nick,” Burge mentioned.
— to www.kcrg.com
