T-shirt asking for a kidney donation at Disney World
A Facebook post went viral after Robert Leibowitz was spotted wearing this shirt at Disneyworld.

A combination of Disney magic, the power of social media, and the kindness of strangers has changed the life of one single father from New Jersey forever.

Robert Leibowitz, 60 years old, has suffered from a chronic kidney disease for decades.

His condition steadily worsened to the point that Robert now requires lengthy dialysis treatment several times a week. He managed to get on a wait list for a kidney transplant, but these things move at an agonizingly slow pace. Prospects were dim.

With his health deteriorating, Leibowitz and his 5 children decided to take a trip to Disney World in the hopes of creating some lasting memories.

This is when the Leibowitz kids had a genius idea: appeal to the Disney crowds to help their dad. They made a T-shirt for Robert to wear as they walked around park. It read:

"In Need Of Kidney, O Positive, Call 917-597-2651"

**Facebook Famous

**

While wading through the crowds at Disney World, Robert and his children were approached by a woman named Rocio Sandoval. Struck by the message on his shirt, Rocio asked if she could take a picture and post it on her Facebook page.

Before long, Leibowitz's plea for help started to gain traction. A handful of shares turned into hundreds, then thousands. The post had gone viral.

"Her picture just blew up! When we were boarding the plane, it was at, like, 40,000 shares. That's when the calls started coming in," recounts Leibowitz's son, Max. From all over the country, social media users began dialing the number to offer their kidneys to Leibowitz. However, kidney donations require a perfect match, so finding the right donor can be tricky.

**Finding a Match

**

With the Facebook photo of Leibowitz's fateful shirt nearing 90,000 total shares, it finally reached an ICU technician in Indiana. The technician remembered that a friend, a man named Richie Sully, had just found out his blood type a day before O Positive.

Upon hearing of Leibowitz's plight, Sully wasted no time calling the number on the shirt. He informed Leibowitz that he was a match.

But here's the incredible part. In order to follow through, Sully took a 15-hour bus ride from his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana to New York City in order to undergo the final compatibility tests and meet the man he would be donating his kidney to for the first time.

With all the tests completed, the transplant operation has been set for January 18th.

Asked about this selfless act of good will toward a complete stranger, Sully replied: "the way I was raised, if someone needs help you give it to them".

Robert Leibowitz with his kidney donor.
Leibowitz ( left) met with donor Richie Sully in New York City

The Kind Stranger

The beauty of this triumph is not merely that Robert Leibowitz can now receive a new lease on life. Thanks to the generosity and sacrifice of someone who had never even met Leibowitz, the story takes on a much deeper meaning. The willingness to travel all that way and undergo surgery to save a stranger's life that is compassion personified.

And to think, it was all sparked by a T-shirt and a visit to Disney World. Fittingly, the park's slogan is "Where Dreams Come True". While this story probably speaks more to the power of social media than Disney's dream-making abilities, it's a wonderful coincidence nonetheless.

Everyone says they want to make a difference in the world, but few people know how to put those words into action. Heading into 2018, we are encouraged to know that people like Richie Sully are out there -- ready and willing to help in any way they can.

16 comments

  1. Tom B's Avatar Tom B

    This is a beautiful, positive story, that everyone should consider/meditate upon...Tom

  1. Linda Happenny's Avatar Linda Happenny

    Tears of joy for this man and his donor. Blessed Be!

  1. James's Avatar James

    About time we have some good news to discuss.

    1. John Maher's Avatar John Maher

      WOUDN'T it be NICE, NO GREAT to have these FEELINGS ALWAYS, INSTEAD WE LISTEN to the POISON of DOTAR ORANGUtRUMP and the RNC/GOP IGNORANT FEARGIVERS, LIARS, THIEVES, GOING DOWN for the COUNT, COURT....

      1. Lee Dante Clementi's Avatar Lee Dante Clementi

        The story is inspirational, but John, your complaints sound very negative and are a let down.

      2. Colleen Kelly's Avatar Colleen Kelly

        John, get outside and smell the trees, grass, something! You've been inside too long.

    2. biblical scholar's Avatar biblical scholar

      It's good news to you that a man had to beg for a life saving operation at a theme park?

      1. Counselor John's Avatar Counselor John

        This is a story of humankind coming to help when the establishment is too slow to make it happen in a timely manner. It is not about begging, but rather about blowing past the administration and making something happen for someone in need. His dream is coming true because his children were shrewd enough to appeal to the hearts of thousands through technology.

      2. Melinda Salem's Avatar Melinda Salem

        I believe that you must pray for what you want, but you must also be willing to ask. If you never let anyone in on what you need, how are they to know if they can help you or even to refer you to someone else who might?

      3. Colleen Kelly's Avatar Colleen Kelly

        It's networking...just people talking to people. And the care exhibited by people is inspiring, UPLIFTING!

  1. John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON's Avatar John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON

    As my brothers in uniform say south of the border, Hooahh. This is the sort of thing that restores faith in humanity in general.

  1. Joseph's Avatar Joseph

    Is Disney Magic Real? All Magic is real. The greater conscience participates in our every thought. Each thought then, is prayer-form. The interfaith community understands that all prayer-form is valid. The Magic is in the manifestation of our prayers which surrounds us. Yes, the kids used the prayer-form of the shirt to manifest the donor via Disney's Magic and human interaction.

  1. Jean Bruhn's Avatar Jean Bruhn

    My friend gave a kidney to her cousin. She was not a perfect match. That was about 12 or 15 yrs ago, and both are still doing great. It was done at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota.

  1. Mike Osburn's Avatar Mike Osburn

    That shows the world that there are kind, caring and thoughtful people still in this world. I know how he feels, our son was recently diagnosed with acute kidney failure and we are looking for a donor too. He is an Iraq war Army vet and a farther of 4.

    1. Melinda Salem's Avatar Melinda Salem

      Praying your son gets the gift of a kidney that he is waiting for.

  1. Brad Szczecinski's Avatar Brad Szczecinski

    Kind, touching and one of a kind story! Inspirational! Thanks for sharing!

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