Valiant Driver For Uber Offers Passenger His Kidney

On Friday, John Harper was not feeling well. In October 2020, the 71-year-old, who had been receiving dialysis for a few years due to kidney failure, found himself at a vascular facility thirty miles away from his residence for the second time in a 24-hour period. His dialysis access port needed to be routinely declot, so his brother had driven him to the Vascular Institute in Vineland, New Jersey, the day before. However, that evening, it was blocked again.

Kidney disease presented its own set of challenges for Harper. His kidney issues were caused by diabetes, which he was diagnosed with more than 20 years earlier. Although there were no matches for him yet, he was on the transplant list. So he went on with his therapies, which included the periodic declotting of the port, which this time had mysteriously failed. Harper accepted an Uber to and from his appointment on Friday as he didn't have a ride scheduled for the retake.

Harper needed a ride home, so Michael Ross, 31, who was heading north to meet a friend, received a phone call. It was not Ross's route to take. Nevertheless, he accepted the fare, reasoning that since the traveler was leaving a hospital, he probably needed transport.

Harper was tired but in high spirits when he climbed into the car, as Ross could see. The two struck up a conversation as they started the forty-minute drive to Harper's house in Salem.

John, who told Harper he was a proud Army veteran, "really lit up the car with positive energy," according to Ross. Harper, a sales representative for a firm that makes pipes, said that he used to like contributing in his community and at his church. He even held the position of president of the municipal council. He clarified, though, that he was doing less these days because the dialysis treatments were wearing him out.

Harper then disclosed that he was trying to find a kidney donor. Given that he didn't smoke or drink, Ross made a joke that he might be a suitable donor candidate. Harper nodded, but as they continued to drive, he didn't give it any thought. But Ross couldn't get the idea out of his head.

Kidney donation "was something that was always on my mind," according to Ross, who feels strongly about helping others. Besides, he respected and liked Harper already. Thus, Ross remarked, "I'd like to see if I could be a match to give you a kidney," around a quarter of a mile from Harper's residence.

Harper laughs as she recalls, "I was shocked." When they exchanged contact details, his shaking was so severe that he was having trouble writing his name. "I just received a kidney offer from the Uber driver!" he said to his wife as soon as he was inside his house.

Harper's initial delight gave way to a slightly pessimistic feeling. Ross's offer moved him, even though he wasn't sure whether it was just a fleeting emotional moment. Was he going to tell him? And how likely was it that they would click?

However, Ross kept his promise. Within hours, he had been in touch with Harper, and the following week, Ross had reached out to the kidney transplant program. Following several months of testing, medical record exchange, interviews, meetings with live donor advocates, and other procedures, the results were in: Ross was a perfect match for Harper and an ideal donor.

Harper and Ross had their procedures on December 7, 2021, which was 14 months after they happened to get into the same automobile by accident. It worked out well. Harper is doing well now; he no longer needs dialysis and works remotely full-time while spending quality time with his family.

Ross relocated to Germany to take a civilian position in the Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation section of the Army. Harper and he stay in contact and hope to get back together one day. Harper is very happy. After all, he argues, "living donors are special people".