'I'm still here': UBS colleagues join 'Fox & Friends' to share heartwarming tale of kidney donation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: UBS bankers Bill Carroll and Lane Strumlauf were invited on the December 26 episode of 'Fox & Friends' to talk about the heartwarming bond they share after the latter donated a kidney to save the former's life.

Bill Carroll hails Lane Strumlauf as his hero

"I shouldn't even be on the screen," said Caroll, the recipient, heaping praises on his friend. "Lane is the real hero here… He is the courageous one who graciously, without hesitation, stepped up and gave me a kidney, (allowing) me to walk my daughter down the aisle 32 days later."

This was Carroll's second transplant. He had received his first from his wife. While his family was worried for him, Carroll shared that his daughter's wedding had weighed heavier in his mind.

Recalling the holiday song 'Angels among us,' Carroll called Strumlauf his angel, saying that the latter made sure that "I walk my daughter down the aisle," and more importantly, that "I'm still here."

Carroll had called Strumlauf on Christmas day, dedicating the celebration to him.

What made Lane Strumlauf volunteer to donate a kidney?

When the co-hosts asked Strumlauf why he did it, he sincerely replied, "The (first) thing that I thought about is my time spent with Bill, as a colleague, and becoming close friends through the work-relationship."

"I thought to myself if the roles were reversed, I'm confident that if he was able to, he'd do it for me."

"When I went through the testing and found out that I was healthy enough to donate and a perfect match for him, the thought that ran through my head was how could I not do it for him?"

"It was really quite an easy decision," he added.

UBS provided support throughout the process

Co-host Joey Jones asked the pair how supportive their workplace, UBS, was throughout the process and whether other businesses should promote a similar outlook.

Caroll stated in response, "The culture that has been created by the organization is one of caring for each other… and I think Lane epitomizes that more than anyone, obviously."

"What was incredible is that so many UBS colleagues stepped up to get tested," he added, which led to possibly life-saving early treatment of the executive vice-chairman of their organization.