In a sea of bad news, it is always nice when a heartwarming story surfaces. A United FA donated one of his kidneys to his co-worker…just for asking.
Good Morning America covers the story. I suggest you watch the video:
Doctors told Newark-based FA Jair Ripoll that he needed a kidney transplant due to a hereditary kidney disease.
At the suggestion of friends, he posted a note on Facebook stating he was looking for a donor. Moments later, Steven Lepine, also a Newark-based FA, answered back, offering to be tested to see if their kidneys matched.
Turns out they did, and Lepine donated one of his kidneys to Ripoll. It saved his life.
Lepine said:
I thought we probably won’t be a match but this is something that I can do as a human being. That’s the way my parents raised us, to lend a helping hand.
And isn’t that the truth? This gesture reminds us that we have been given the resources to profoundly help our human brothers and sisters.
It may be cheesy, but Ripoll is right in stating:
I feel like we are more than friends now. We are brothers.
Both FAs are now back to work.
image: Jair Ripoll
Matthew, thanks for posting this. Great story.