Man donates kidney to friend, possibly saves his own life

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- A story of love and selflessness by a Kannapolis, N.C. pastor takes an amazing twist.

Tim Jones, who recently started Mercy Independent Baptist Church, donated one of his kidneys to friend and former professional wrestler Don Herbert, who is battling stage five kidney failure.

The two met when Herbert stopped by yard sale and heard music playing.

Jones decided three days after meeting Herbert to donate his kidney after learning Herbert was ill.

During Monday's surgery, Jones says doctors found an aneurysm in the main artery leading to his kidney. It led to six additional hours of surgery.

Aneurysms are bulges in blood vessels that can rupture. Jones didn't know he had it. He says pre-surgery tests didn't show it.

Fortunately the aneurysm hadn't ruptured.

If it did, Jones says it could have killed him, and the surgery turned into potential life savers for both men.

"I saw Don last night briefly for a little while. Of course he looked good, his spirits were good. It's just an incredible feeling to sit there beside the bed and know he's got part of me in him and just the way the whole thing worked out. Literally he and I will be brothers for life," Jones said.

Both are expected to be out of the hospital within a week.