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Good luck, Tom!

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Illinois

* He’s a good reporter and, apparently, one heck of a great guy…

They’re close friends who root for different teams.

That worries Tom Costello ahead of Thursday’s surgery in St. Louis, where he is to receive Tom Kacich’s kidney.

“I just hope it doesn’t turn me into a Cubs fan,” said Costello, loyal to the White Sox.

Costello was at MTD and Kacich at The News-Gazette when they first met in ’75. Their friendship bloomed over the years and continues today, the two joining others at Perkins in Urbana on Saturday mornings. Over breakfast in January, Costello informed the gang that his wife, Rose, had been rejected as a kidney donor.

“I’ll try it,” Kacich said with no hesitation. Many tests and weeks later, Kacich and his kidney were cleared to proceed. Their operations will take place 30 minutes apart Thursday morning.

“He gets my left kidney — the inferior one,” Kacich said. “I get to keep the better one.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 9:06 am

Comments

God bless both of them. What a beautiful, unselfish act of friendship. Both Toms are institutions in the C-U community. Wishing them a speedy recovery.

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 9:36 am
Good luck Mr. Costello. and good show Mr. Kacich. Tom to Tom, also very appropriate.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 9:37 am
If successful he will be a Cardinal Fan.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 9:37 am
I won’t even share a sandwich. You’re a good guy, Tom. Best of luck to you both.

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 9:52 am
All the best to both. This just shows what real friends are all about.

More good news, please, when possible.

Comment by illini Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 10:00 am
Best wishes to both Toms, “Tom-Squared” if you will…

Great story.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 10:08 am
I always said you’re the best, and this is just further proof of it. I reached a summer goal of getting to play golf with you. I was honored. LBT

Comment by OldLoren Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 10:18 am
Known ‘em both since I was a youngster growing up in C-U. You won’t find two better guys more dedicated to their respective professions in a month of Sundays.

OldLoren above is a pretty good guy, too. AA had a schoolboy crush on his beautiful daughter for years.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 11:14 am
Kacich is MORE that a “good” reporter — and now gives a whole new meaning to “good guy.”

Comment by JRF Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 12:24 pm
Hey Tom, this is a great year to be a Cub fan. Join the winners team!

Comment by Mama Retired Thursday, Sep 1, 16 @ 4:01 pm