Rick Eckstein, hitting coach for the Washington Nationals and brother of fellow float rider David Eckstein, woke up one morning in September 2010 gripped by a thought he was unable and unwilling to shake. Rick knew at that moment that he was going to donate a kidney to his brother Ken, one of four immediate family members who had received kidney transplants. Two months later, Rick's kidney was transplanted into Ken, who returned to the full life he had enjoyed since receiving his first kidney transplant in 1991. As for Rick, his life has not skipped a beat: last year he married wife Caroline and he continues to give his all to his coaching career.

Rick's Story

Rick Eckstein woke up one morning in September 2010 gripped by a thought he was unable and unwilling to shake. He had been thinking more than usual about his brother, Ken, who had been strapped to a dialysis machine almost daily during the previous eight months.

Ken needed a new kidney to survive, and Rick decided – no, knew, for the first time, at that moment – that he was going to give him one of his. Rick drove to Nationals Park, where he is hitting coach for the Washington National, and explained to the head trainer that he needed a blood test as soon as possible.

Kidney disease had spared Rick and his brother, fellow float rider David, but four other immediate family members had either donated or received a kidney. Their father, Whitey, was first found to have kidney issues when he was 17 years old and had received a transplant; mother Patricia had been a living donor to Rick's sister Susan in 1989. Another sister, Christine, needed a transplant within the same year, and Ken had his first kidney transplant in 1991.

As he watched his family suffer, Rick sometimes wondered, "Why did it happen to them and not to me? I can handle it." Over time Rick shifted his mind-set and made his own health an obligation. He majored in health and wellness at the University of Florida, stopped eating sweets and adhered to his workout routine. He assumed someone in his family would, one day, need one of his kidneys to live. On that September morning, Rick determined the moment had arrived.

A few days after getting his blood tested, Rick received his results: he was a perfect match for his brother Ken. After Rick told him of his decision, Ken was shocked. He knew how seriously Rick took his job. He threw during batting practice to the Nationals before every game, taught himself to swing like his hitters, and practiced their swings every day. His career relied on his body, and complications from the surgery had the potential to hinder him.

"You don't have to do this," Ken told Rick. "I really appreciate it, but I want you to know what you're doing. If this is something that is going to at all jeopardize your career, then I don't want it." Rick said it wasn't a choice.

Early one December morning in 2010, he and his brother lay next to one another on gurneys in an operating room. Rick's recovery was remarkable: he drove home in less than 24 hours and was jogging on a treadmill within ten days. Ken, too, recovered well and left the hospital eight days later.

In the two years since donating a kidney, Rick has not skipped a beat: last year he married wife Caroline and he continues to give his all to his coaching career.