After kidney transplant, friends are ‘doing well and praising Jesus’

Danny Kolzow has a new kidney, thanks to close friend Graham McMillan.

Mary Kolzow, Danny’s mother, and Claire McMillan, Graham’s wife, issued a joint statement after Wednesday’s surgeries.

“Danny and Graham are recovering, doing well and praising Jesus. We have felt loved, encouraged and cared for by the hospital staff. Praise God for his faithfulness through this process. Thank you for the many prayers that have been answered,” the statement read.

The two young men underwent surgery Wednesday morning at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center — Fort Worth.

“He is one of the most loving people you will ever meet,” Kolzow, 23, said of his friend. “He is giving me such an an amazing gift. … It is Christ working through him.”

Kolzow, a nurse at Baylor All Saints, has Alport Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes loss of kidney function. Kolzow said his kidneys are functioning at about 6 percent and he would soon be in need of dialysis if he doesn’t get a new kidney.

Kolzow and McMillan said the kidney transplant is part of a larger plan that allows them to share their faith with others. The list of those listening keeps growing as people hear about the kidney transplant via social media.

A video titled: “Heard urine need of a kidney” has been shared on the InspireMore Facebook page more than 8,300 times. The video has been viewed more than 795,000 times. The video shows McMillan showing up at Kolzow’s work with news that his kidney is a match for the procedure.

Kolzow posted a follow-up video called: “I’m getting a kidney!”

“It’s cool what has happened on social media,” Kolzow said.

McMillan said he wanted to help Kolzow find a kidney when he found out about his condition earlier this year. He took many medical tests before he was found to have a match for his friend.

“This is the best way to share the love of Christ,” said McMillan, 24.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 4:04 PM with the headline "After kidney transplant, friends are ‘doing well and praising Jesus’."