More than just business.

• Author: Petrick, John F., Jr.
• Position: Speak Out

When a CPA introduces someone as their partner everyone assumes that it is a business relationship and nothing more. Well, Larry Becker and I have been business partners for more than 20 years and our partnership goes way beyond just business.

Larry and I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and in 1980 were employed by the same CPA firm. You could not find a more giving person than Larry. For many years he and his wife have been involved with several charities, including the City of Hope.

In 1984, my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and on many occasions in the 16 months she lived with the illness, Larry donated blood to her, once even leaving a dinner with friends to give white blood cells (a procedure that takes several hours).

Several years ago, I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (an inherited disease that eventually causes kidney failure). Early last year, my kidneys were failing and Larry was the first person to volunteer to be a kidney donor. After enduring many unpleasant tests to make sure he was a match, Larry donated his kidney to me Aug. 17, 2004, just before I would have had to start dialysis.

Only about 15 percent of kidney transplants are done with living donors, the other recipients must wait about five years before...