Felix Aponte (left) and Rob Sanchez (right) both served time in New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility, but they did not meet until Felix showed up at a job placement center where Rob was working.

Quickly they became close and when Rob was diagnosed with an aggressive form of kidney disease, Felix offered to get tested and see if he would be a match for a transplant.

They came to StoryCorps to talk about the early days of their friendship and how it led Felix to make a sacrifice that saved Rob’s life.

Originally aired March 12, 2010, on NPR’s Morning Edition.