New Jersey Dad Needed A Kidney; A Stranger In Indiana Stepped Up

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Robert Leibowitz needed a kidney and his children weren't appropriate donors. Then he got an idea: make a shirt asking strangers for a new kidney and wear it around Disney World. So he did. And it worked. A stranger who lived more than 500 miles away in Indiana came forward and now Leibowitz, a 60-year-old single father from Lawrenceville, New Jersey, has a new lease on life.

Leibowitz has had chronic kidney disease since he was a boy and has been on dialysis for three years. In August, Leibowitz vacationed with his kids at Disney World's Magic Kingdom. He walked through the park wearing a shirt that read: "In Need Of Kidney O Positive," and provided a phone number for those interested.

A stranger saw his shirt, approached him, and asked if she could take a picture.

"I said, 'You better believe it,'" Leibowitz told ABC News.

Rocio Sandoval, who took the photo, shared it on Facebook. It exploded.

Within a day, it had been shared 35,000 times. And it didn't take long for him to find a match.

Richie Sully, a single father of two from Fort Wayne, Indiana, told WPIX-TV a friend showed him the post as Sully was giving blood to help Hurricane Harvey victims. He called the number and left a message: "Hi, my name is Richie. I saw your post. I have an extra kidney. I’m O-positive. You’re more than welcome to have it."

Sully took off work, rode a bus for 15 hours to New York and stayed in a hotel for two weeks on his own dime. He and Leibowitz toured Manhattan, ate sushi and discussed music. A week ago, Sully underwent surgery beside Leibowitz at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Now, his new friend has a new kidney.

Leibowitz, Sully, and Sandoval plan to go to Disney World with their families.

A You Caring crowdfunding site has been established to help Sully pay for his expenses.

Photo credit: You Caring