Kidney donor reunited with family she helped

(FOX 2) - A woman put out a call using her car's back window, asking for a kidney donor..

That sign, inspired a stranger. Months later, the donor, recipient and his daughter, all reunited.

"I think it's the most worthwhile thing I've ever done," said the donor.

And now that woman is being called a hero.

"I hope she knows she's an amazing brave woman," said Lillian Jarjour, who placed the sign on her car.

Ryan Stanford of Roseville, suffers from polycystic kidney disease. He says late last year he noticed his symptoms were getting worse.

"I didn't expect it to affect me until I was much older," said Stanford, 40. "It usually affects people older than what I am."

Stanford felt exhausted, cold and sick almost like he had the flu.

 "I would try to physically do stuff and my body would just give up and it would be so worn down," Stanford said.

Stanford learned last October he'd have to go on dialysis in less than a year and he says the waiting list for a type O kidney is about five years.

"I knew we had to take action," said Jarjour.

Concerned about her mother's boyfriend, Jarjour, 19, slapped the sign on her car, took pictures of the sign and then shared on social media thousands of times.

"I was shocked by the amount of shares and retweets it got," she said, adding that about 215 people wanted to help. "I think it is amazing that many people were willing to help another person out that they don't even know."

Stepping up to help was a Macomb woman in her 30s. She was a near perfect match, but humbly wished to remain anonymous.

"It just makes me feel like there's a design, a reason for things," she said. "You do the right thing when you can."

Exactly two weeks ago the two headed into surgery and now Stanford reunited with his hero.

Both of them recovered and now even text each other updates. Stanford and Jarjour even bought her a necklace with a kidney charm on it.
 
"The reasoning behind it, is, you've given us a kidney, now we give you one," the donor said. "So it's cute."

With roughly 2,300 people waiting for a kidney in Michigan, the two are now encouraging others to become a donor if they can.

"I know it's not possible for every person to do it," the donor said. "But it is the best thing you'll ever do."

To see if you're a candidate to donate or to find out more, visit www.HenryFord.com/livingdonation
 
To join the Michigan Organ Donor registry, www.golm.org/go/hfhs