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Journalism of Courage
Can you imagine someone in today’s time being so kind as to donate a kidney to a stranger whom they have just met? In a heartwarming story that will restore your faith in humanity, a 73-year-old man was given a second chance at life and his unlikely saviour turned out to be an Uber driver in USA’s New Jersey.
Popular page Good News Movement shared the extraordinary story on Instagram. Bill Sumiel was riding an Uber on his way to a dialysis centre and his driver was Tim Letts, a former US Army veteran. They struck up a conversation about health problems that Sumiel was having.
Sumiel suffered from kidney failure after developing diabetes 20 to 30 years earlier. According to local press sources, his physicians advised him to actively hunt for a kidney rather than wait as he needed a transplant. He had already been on the transplant list for three and a half years.
By the end of the car ride, Letts told him that “God put him in his car that day” and offered him his kidney. And astonishingly, they ended up being a match and Sumiel underwent successful surgery. The post says that it has been a year and Sumiel is currently rehabilitating at the University of Delaware’s Renal Rehab centre. Letts lives in Germany now but Sumiel says he still stays in touch with his “forever friend who saved his life”. The Good News Movement also shared a photo of the two from hospital that was posted by Sumiel on his Facebook account.
“The fact that: 1. The driver offered to donate 2. The driver followed through (it’s a big commitment) 3. The driver was a healthy candidate and 4. They matched!! Wow, truly the stars aligned. If you can, Be a donor!!” a user commented.
“Touching story. I hope the doctors help Sumiel with prevention suggestions to prevent him needing another kidney. I wonder what type of diabetes he had,” another said. “This might be the most amazing act of unselfish kindness and generosity I’ve ever heard of. I’m speechless. God Bless them both,” appreciated a third.
