After discovering that his kidneys were falling, Michigan man Jeff Kurze together with his wife Roxy tried using the social network site, Facebook, as a gateway to find a kidney donor.
Recalling his story, the doctor once told Jeff that he might have to wait for about five years to take his turn on the kidney waiting list and be able to get the type O match that he needed that time.
His wife Roxy is a web designer who desperately wrote on her wall, “Wishing a kidney would fall out of the sky so my husband can stop suffering. So if anyone knows of a live donor with type O blood, PLEASE let me know.”
Several people made a reply saying that they were willing to get tested. However, the 30-year-old Roxy was unconvinced.
Eventually, a 25-year-old comedian Ricky Cisco sent her a private message. It was because of their work that Roxy was able to met Ricky before. Roxy shared that they were “Facebook friends” but they never even liked each other’s post back then.
Cisco, who was a complete stranger at that moment, asked Roxy to meet for coffee as he wrote that he wanted to discuss about Jeff’s kidney.
Cisco knew that his blood is type O but he never had considered being a kidney donor before. In fact, he only knew that a little about such topic but he believed he was meant to be Jeff’s donor.
He made researches online about the risks of being a kidney donor. Researches brought him the idea that a life having only one kidney would be no different.
When the two strangers met for coffee, it was then that Roxy knew that Ricky was willing to give his kidney to her husband.
Usually, kidney donors are one from the members of the patient’s family. Donors must be into careful screening so they will not be putting themselves on long term risks.
Results of the tests came out in February which revealed that Cisco’s kidney was a perfect match.
Finally, Jeff made his way to his last dialysis. His operation had been successful. Those were the reason why Cisco and the Kurzes turned to become best of friends.