They were each given a second chance at life through successful heart transplants, with Mr Foster now celebrating his 14th year post transplant and Mr Apostol 14 months.
The pair were two of more than 60 people taking part in yesterday's DonateLife Make It Count Walk at Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton.
Participants of all ages and their furry companions went for a lap around the lake with the event, now in its second year, raising awareness for organ and tissue donation.
Goulburn Valley Health's nurse donation specialist and event organiser Natasha Pearson said the day was all about getting people together to understand organ donation and to spread the word among the community.
"We're trying to dispel some of the myths people have about organ and tissue donation," Ms Pearson said.
"Amazingly at this year's event we have had two heart recipients, someone who has been involved in a paired kidney exchange and a couple of families who have had to make that tough decision about donation, one of them as raw as four weeks ago."
Ms Pearson said it was families like this that inspired the people at DonateLife and GV Health to continue in the field.
The walk was held yesterday to mark the conclusion of DonateLife Week, which is part of the government's national program to increase organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Australia.
Ms Pearson said it was particularly inspiring to see Mr Foster and Mr Apostol come together to celebrate their second chance at life.
She encouraged all families to have the conversation about organ donation and by doing so acknowledge how they could turn a tragic situation into something positive.
"The amazing story of 14 months and 14 years that just speaks louder than words," she said.
"This is a true indicator of second chance at life and why having the conversation about donation is so important."
Turn to page 5 to see more photos from the Make It Count Walk and to read the story of Shepparton's Stephen Finnen who received a life saving kidney transplant in 2017.Â
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