Meet two brothers that share a special connection... and a kidney

Growing up in the west end of Winnipeg, Kevin and Craig Settee had a typical big brother, little brother relationship. The two of them spent their childhood days playing hockey on outdoor rinks and attending ceremonies together.

But when Kevin turned 10, everything changed. Diagnosed with kidney disease, his health began a long and difficult downward spiral. By the time he was 20, Kevin was on dialysis and in dire need of a kidney transplant. After a lengthy search, they discovered that his brother was a perfect match. 

The surgery was a success. After a decade of waiting and worrying, Kevin was given a new lease on life.

"I just remember being so happy," said Kevin. "I remember going in and seeing [Craig] and he was really swollen because he had a negative reaction to the anaesthetics. I remember feeling sorry for him, his face and lips were all swollen. I was like: 'that's a real brother'."

Now at 26 and 32, the brothers told New Fire that they were always close — but say the transplant has deepened the bond between them. 

"The love is always there," said Craig, "I'm not afraid to hug up my brother in public and tell him I love him. That's one thing as men that we need to do more of: express that to each other. I'm a part of him now. Literally I'm a part of him. Not just through being brothers — he's carrying my kidney. That's something that a lot of brothers don't get to say. It makes me grateful to have that connection with him."

Listen to Kevin and Craig's full story by clicking the 'listen' button above.