John Burge of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) for 16 years. Two years ago, he was told he needed a transplant, but unfortunately could not get a match.
“We felt like we were at the end. We didn’t really feel like there was another option,” said Burge’s wife Katie.
When no donor was found by mid-September, Burge’s son, Matthew, turned to Facebok for the second time.
Less than 30 minutes after making his post on Sept. 18, a 24-year-old friend, Nick Etton, responded. Tests showed that John Burge and Etton were a match.
Etton and Matthew met at Kirkwook Community College several years ago and stayed in touch, but Etton have never met John Burge until he came to Cedar Rapids for blood tests.
“The moment I read the Facebook post — this was something I should do,” Etton said.
“I can’t thank him enough,” Burge said. “What he’s doing is beyond words.”
“I mean you think about it, it’s Christmas, and he’s pretty much giving my family the greatest gift we could ever ask for,” said Matthew.
It’s feel good to come across such heartwarming stories every once in a while.
[Source: News 8 Channel, Chicago Tribune]
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