Kidney transplant goes well for pair from Bucks church

Two men connected to a Bucks County church were doing well after kidney transplant surgery at a Camden hospital Tuesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Rob Chifokoyo, 30, and Michael Wortell, 22, were in good condition Wednesday, said Carol Lynn Daley, director of marketing at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

Wortell, a member of Doylestown's Covenant Church, donated a kidney to Chifokoyo, a Zimbabwean mission partner of the church.

A CaringBridge web page maintained by Chifokoyo's wife was updated Wednesday afternoon, saying that Wortell was able to walk and eat a meal during the day and that Chifokoyo would hopefully move from the intensive care unit into a regular room overnight.

Chifokoyo's kidneys began failing last year, and over the winter, the church paid to fly Chifokoyo and his wife to Doylestown and coordinated free medical treatment for them.

A few weeks ago, Wortell, who recently graduated from nursing school, became the latest example of the church's generosity by volunteering to be Chifokoyo's kidney donor. The men, along with Chifokoyo's wife, shared the story at an emotional church service Sunday.

Daley said Chifokoyo, Wortell, and their families were resting and unavailable to discuss the procedure until later in the week. But she said the surgery was excellent.

Recovery time after a kidney transplant can vary, according to the National Kidney Foundation website. Patients typically stay in the hospital for four to six days after surgery and should avoid strenuous physical activity for six weeks after leaving the hospital.