A few years ago, Tim Heatherly of Missouri went to see a doctor about back pain and was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. His kidneys failed and his life was turned upside down as he had to rely on dialysis for four hours a day, three days a week, leaving him exhausted and unable to work. His friends offered to donate, but none were a match, so out of desperation, Heatherly’s mom turned to Facebook looking for a donor.
Father of three Joe Turner saw the post, and even though he didn’t know Heatherly, he was deeply moved, and decided to help him. The 39-year-old DoorDash driver from Illinois underwent months of testing and was determined to be a perfect match. Heatherly and Turner met for the first time to complete paperwork and the transplant surgery took place last month.
The surgery was successful and Heatherly says the new kidney began working right away. He feels healthier and no longer wakes up with fluid in his lungs. Turner continues to check on him every day and the two men have developed a friendship. Heatherly is deeply grateful for his new friend and the chance at a life that he’s given him, saying, “It’s not a lot of people that do things like that for their friends, let alone a stranger.”
Source: KSNB LOCAL 4