The story of how a pretty barista at a Starbucks saved the life of an army veteran begins with a simple question. "What's been going on with you?"
Nicole McNeil worked at a Starbucks in DuPont, Washington.
When she noticed one of her regulars, Vince Villano, looking depressed the last few times he came over, she asked him what was up. Dismissing his protests, she insisted she had time to listen. Finally, Vince told her truth. He had an polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder which meant a lifetime of dialysis or slow death unless he found a kidney transplant. He had resigned himself to the fact that his daughters would grow up not having their dad much longer.
Nicole could not get the army veteran's tears out of her mind as she returned from work and spoke about the encounter with her husband Justin, an army veteran himself.
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| Justin and Nicole McNeil with their three children |
Perhaps even she did not expect the first response that he gave.
"I’ve got a kidney, you know, we could do this. I think I’m willing to do that.”
Justin got himself tested and as fate would have it, was a perfect match. The two men bonded over months and underwent surgery successfully in December 2018.
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| Justin McNeil and Vince Villano |
Doctors say that Justin's gift bought Vince an extra 20 years of life to spend with his family. A family that now includes the McNeils.
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| Vince Villano and the McNeils - a bond that started with a simple gesture from a kind barista |
Heroes of Kindness:
Since 2017, every year, I take up the #BlogchatterA2Z & #AtoZChallenge and focus on showcasing lovely real-life heroes from around the world. The aim is to remind you that there is still plenty of good human beings all around you... to inspire you to smile once more.
Want more stories of compassion? I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here:
2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)
Heroes of Kindness - Indian edition
Heroes of Kindness - My Interviews
Heroes of Kindness - Indian edition
Heroes of Kindness - My Interviews
Wow. How could someone be so large hearted - amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow. Your posts are so inspiring and interesting. It takes a lot from one to be so selfless and donate a kidney to someone you do not even know well
ReplyDeleteHow heartening it was to read that! I am glad there are people like that still in the world!
ReplyDeleteKismat connection! Gift of an organ is gift of life. So heartening to read this story.
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ReplyDeleteThis is unbelievable. God bless the extended family.
ReplyDeleteThis is the ultimate sacrifice and act of kindness. I believe that some meetings are meant to be. God Bless this amazing soul.
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How does one become so selfless and large-hearted? I had tears in my eyes reading about this.
ReplyDeleteWow that is indeed a huge feat of human kindness. Very very few people would do that for a relative stranger!
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Fate always finds its way. Wonderful story. Happy A2Zing buddy :)
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