Classmates who barely knew each other celebrate life after kidney transplant surgery

Ken Walker & Charlie Bell - Classmates who
barely knew each other celebrate life
after kidney transplant surgery
(The George Washington University Hospital)

Kenneth Walker and Charlie Ball walked down the hallway at The George Washington University Hospital together Thursday, just three days after they went under the knife when Charlie donated his kidney to Kenneth.

"You feel better instantly," Walker said. "You really never or rarely get a new lease on life. I got one, and I'll be grateful for the rest of my life."

Walker had been on dialysis for the past 18 months. He was seeking out a new a kidney everywhere and then he went on the listserv of the all-male class of 1969 at D.C.'s Archbishop Carroll High School and asked for help.

His former classmate, Charlie, who is now living in California, did not remember Kenneth but volunteered anyway. They later discovered they were a match.

"I didn't feel nervous at all," Ball said. "I just feel blessed to be able to do something extraordinary."

"Was it rough?" ABC7's Sam Ford asked the two former classmates turned friends.

"Day by day the recovery is slow, but it's good," said Ball.

Attribution:  Sam Ford/ABC7, wjla.com
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