Man Thanks Triathlete For Kidney Donation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Wis. man is thanking the Twin Cities triathlete who donated a kidney after a fateful meeting a few years ago.

WCCO-TV reported on John Barker earlier this week. Barker, of Minneapolis, is training for his first triathlon after donating a kidney to Lee Krecklow, who lists in Tigerton, Wis.

Krecklow told Wisconsin reporters that he enjoys playing baseball, basketball and soccer with his daughters Bethany and Mary, and it's all thanks to the life-saving surgery and the kind act of a stranger.

"It's a miracle what you can do just by giving a part of yourself. You can sure make a difference in another person's life, because I probably wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for that gift I received," said Krecklow.

The reason the two met was because Barker was visiting his parents in Wisconsin in 2009, and their neighbor, Krecklow, stopped by to drop off holiday baskets.

Krecklow shared his story, and a few days later, Barker called him to offer his kidney for a transplant.