ST. LAWRENCE DEANERY — To express gratitude might seem like a small gesture, but its impact can be profound. The simple words "Thank you" have a deeper meaning for Keith Rielag and his family.

"When (my doctor) told me I was ready for a transplant, (I said) ‘Thank you for keeping me alive,’" he said. "(To) every medical technician, as they stuck me with needles and scanned my body: Thank you for doing your best. To my friend, Bob: Thank you."

Last year, Rielag, a resident of Bridge_town, went in for a routine physical, and his doctor discovered he suffered from hereditary kidney disease and would need a kidney transplant. The 50-year-old husband and father of three wasn’t aware of the genetic condition until that diagnosis.

His initial options were to receive dialysis twice a week or join a national waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. An immediate choice would be to find a donor within his circle of family and friends.

But he was too modest to ask friends for an organ. "I couldn’t bring myself to ask someone," he said. "I told my close friends what was going on. It’s such a huge sacrifice and heroic at best."

Rielag had hoped to receive a transplant from one of his brothers, but given the congenital nature of his illness, they, too, may need a transplant in the future. He became most concerned for his three children, who have also inherited the illness. Fortunately, they’ve been screened and are being monitored by their doctor.

COURTESY PHOTO

Longtime friends and golf buddies Bob Hirth, left, and Keith Rielag, pose together.

"My wife was most concerned about my health and being off work for four to six weeks," Hirth said. "I wasn’t so much concerned for me but for (Keith) and if it (Hirth’s kidney) would take."

Rielag and Hirth have known each other since sixth grade, when they played baseball on rival teams. Their friendship continued while they attended LaSalle High School, where they both played football — Hirth played defense and Rielag was an offensive player.

After graduation in 1976, the two friends went their separate ways but maintained contact. Hirth attended Ohio State University and Rielag went to Miami University in Oxford.

When Rielag found out Hirth was a good match to donate his kidney, he said he insisted on knowing if this was something he really wanted to do.

"I told him to wait one year or two before he decided. He’s a father of three," said Rielag, who is a member of St. Jude Church.

Rielag’s wife, Louella, said her husband’s diagnosis was a frightening revelation at first.

"We talked to people to be better informed. We have a lot of good people at church — and friends too," Louella Rielag said. "The big concern for us was our children, but the advancement in treatment is much better."

"It’s remarkable how close they’ve (Keith and Bob) stayed," she added

Kim Hirth admits she was "very concerned about my husband and his health and his future. We met with a case specialist who explained the screening and answered questions. They reassured me that Christ (Hospital) would take care of Bob and Keith."

The surgery took place at Christ Hospital last August. Rielag spent a week in the hospital, while Hirth was there for two and a half days.

Kim Hirth said the first day after surgery was tough for her husband.

"He couldn’t get up out of bed," she said. "I think it’s a wonderful thing to do for a friend. Keith’s family was so excited (about the success of the surgery). He’s really doing well. It’s a slow process."

Both men have returned to work, although Rielag continues to take it easy until he can resume his regular activities.

"Every one of his friends came to visit (them) in the hospital. I’m very proud of (Bob). He did a great thing. I think the children are very proud. It’s good for the kids to see (one friend helping another) even though they’re grown," Kim Hirth said.

By next spring, Rielag and Hirth, who is a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church, will resume their Saturday golf ritual.

"He’s as bad at golf as I am, so I needed him," Hirth said jokingly of Rielag. "There was no revelation about the decision. He was just a friend in need."

Rielag said he never lost his faith in God while combating his illness. If anything, his faith in humanity has grown.

"It’s a good feeling to know I do have a lot of good friends. It’s reinforced my faith in people. I’m proud to know somebody like that," Rielag said of Hirth.

Rielag tells his surgeon and the nurses at Christ Hospital, "Thank you for all of your sacrifice to be able to give my body a second chance and for taking great care of me."

Those two little words of "thank you" are repeated often.

"I say it every day to a clerk at the store, the waitress at a restaurant, my children and wife and to God every night," Rielag said.