Denver man’s family saves his life twice, allowing him to become a father
DENVER (KDVR) — A local man’s heroic actions helped his sibling become a father. The bond between the two brothers is special.
“When you’re growing up, your big brother is your hero,” Stephen Krieger said.
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Stephen’s hero, his older brother Chris Krieger, started experiencing kidney failure when Stephen was just a teen.
“I didn’t realize how sick I was, and I ended up in the E.R., and they said, ‘We have to start on dialysis right away, and you need a kidney transplant,’” Chris said. “I was very blessed that my brother-in-law, Zach, was tested, among more than a few family members who were tested.”
Chris’ brother-in-law donated his kidney in 2003, allowing him to achieve one of his greatest goals.
“I think about it from the perspective of a dad,” Chris said. “My first transplant gave me the opportunity to build a life and be a dad. Now I get to watch my girls grow up.”
However, about a decade later, something doctors had previously warned of happened.
“I started getting sicker and sicker until I was at the point where I was on the transplant list,” Chris said. “And my brother actually approached me and said he wanted to be tested as a donor.”
Stephen tested and learned he was eligible to donate his kidney to his brother in 2022.
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“I got to save my hero, which is like a comic book, you know,” Stephen said.
The family stepped in twice to save Chris, giving him the chance to live a healthy life as a dad.
“Just the fact that I have such an incredible brother and brother-in-law who are giving, such wonderful people, and just a family that is just so incredible, my faith has been strengthened,” Chris said.
The gift of life, teaching the Krieger children an invaluable lesson in love, family and fatherhood.
“Getting to see that picture of your kids watching you make a sacrifice and help somebody is a really beautiful and amazing thing,” Stephen said. “To watch Chris be a dad is incredible. He’s the best. He cares for his girls incredibly well.”
Chris is now a dad to two daughters and Stephen is a father to three kids.
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