Best friend's kidney, Five-year jog, Lottery ticket saves church

Jonas Read, 19, and Austin Pence 22, who grew up together in Florida playing videogames and racing go-karts, never suspected that one would end up donating a kidney to the other.

Best friend's kidney

Jonas Read, 19, and Austin Pence, 22, grew up together in Florida, playing videogames, going to movies, and racing go-karts. But last year, Pence learned that his kidneys were failing and that he would need a transplant. No relatives could provide a match, so he began grueling, thrice-weekly dialysis sessions. Then Read got tested and learned that he could safely donate one of his kidneys to his friend. The surgery took place on July 31, and both donor and recipient are doing well. “I don’t know how to explain it,” Read says of their friendship.” It’s just like a connection you get.”

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