A man looking for a kidney donor for 4 years might have finally found one — at Costco
Robert Duran has been searching for a kidney donor for four years. But thanks to a T-shirt, a curious teenager, and a shopping trip to Costco, his health quest might be coming to a close.
While in the pet food aisle at Costco in Phoenix, Ariz., Duran was spotted by an 18-year-old who was curious about the “Kidney donor needed. Type B+. Ask me how” he was wearing. The young woman did just that and when she heard his story, she decided to try and help him crowdsource an organ through social media.
We came across this man at Costco and we asked him about his shirt. He said he has been looking for a donor for four years and still nothing. Please do me a favor and RT this. For more info about him DM me. pic.twitter.com/yHfDJGMw50
— kxrn (@_kerrrn_) March 28, 2018
Alongside photos of Duran in the superstore, she tweeted about their chance meeting and a bit of his backstory. “Please do me a favor and RT this,” she urged. “For more info about him DM me.” And within one day and 150 replies, multiple people have identified themselves as having a B positive blood type, and being willing to determine if they’re a match.
There are several people reaching out to him rn but there are several steps to complete when donating a kidney. The more people wanting to donate the better!
— kxrn (@_kerrrn_) March 28, 2018
Responding to those legitimately interested, the young woman has aggregated a number of potential donors who she’s now in contact with privately. And if Jennen Johnson — a 42-year-old mother who advertised for a kidney transplant on Facebook, and found a donor — is any indication, there certainly is hope that one of these internet strangers will come through as a legitimate way to save Duran’s life. In response to Johnson’s case, vice president of the National Kidney Foundation Jen Martin told Yahoo Lifestyle, “We want people to consider social media as another option, in addition to getting on the donor list.”
For those who aren’t a match but are still interested in helping Duran’s cause, the teen and her friend are continuing to drum up interest in Duran and are directing people who want to help him to a GoFundMe page they set up to help with his medical expenses, specifically dialysis.
If you guys want to help out Robert, this is his GoFundMe that we made for him. Any donation would be appreciated. https://t.co/LGr8q9z4cV
— Yasmeen (@_Yazmeenie_) March 28, 2018
The story is touching many Twitter users, with some acknowledging that the social media platform can, in fact, be used for good.
The amount of responses to this tweet actually restored my faith in humanity https://t.co/CTSqQlKXQo
— Vesna (@VesnaGovi) March 28, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
? This couple spent $19,000 on a kidney transplant for their 17-year-old cat
? Scientists say they’ve discovered a new organ, and it’s the biggest in your body
? Viral photo of 21-year-old with lung cancer lifting weights will inspire you to dream big
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