"The Force" was with them. Jeffrey Romanoff, a longtime member of a Star Wars fan club known as the 501st legion says he owes more than a good time to his membership in the group.

Romanoff, a police officer from suburban Philadelphia, had a successful kidney transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. His donor, Eric Seemann from Long Island, New York, is also a member of the club.

"We didn't know each other very well. But Eric read of my troubles and asked if he could help," said Romanoff.

Seemann was tested and he turned out to be a close match, "as close as you can get without being a blood relative", according to Romanoff.

Romanoff had the transplant surgery April 3 and was preparing to leave the hospital Thursday.

But before he left, he was visited by members of the Ohio chapter of the fan club who wanted to wish him well.

They wore authentic costumes from the characters in the blockbuster movie including the villain Darth Vader and his stormtroopers.

The group often participates in charity events. And in this case, Romanoff says Darth and his entourage were truly a force for good. "Eric especially is my hero."