Andrew Moreno, the young son of Julie Moreno, owner of Jewel's Cafe in Phoenix, received a life-saving kidney transplant thanks to over 50 donors offering to help after an outpouring of support from the cafe's community. Julie Moreno said, "I put it out there to them that my son needed a kidney and the response was insane. The hospital said that they had the most donors come forward that they had ever seen," as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
In a heartwarming update, Andrew Moreno, who underwent the transplant procedure in September, is now twelve and back in school with his health restored. The organ match that saved his life didn't come from family but from a stranger connected to the community surrounding Jewel's Cafe. "It turned out that the person, the gal that donated the kidney to him, was just a friend of a loyal customer," Julie disclosed to FOX 10 Phoenix. The matching process turned out to be a multi-person affair, benefiting not only Andrew but other patients in similar plights.
Meanwhile, a north Phoenix boy has taken his father's health battle into his own hands with a twist of lemon. As 12 News reports, 9-year-old Forest Gomez is raising money via a lemonade stand to support his father, Jorge Gomez's kidney transplant. Jorge, diagnosed with kidney failure at 18 and more recently with heart failure, has faced significant challenges due to his immigration status, which block his access to the kidney waiting list and leave the family facing extortionate medical costs.
"We were laying down one night, and he asked me that if he sold all his toys, would it be enough for my transplant," recounted Jorge Gomez, according to a 12 News interview. Inspired by his son's determination, Jorge has found new strength to fight for his life. The family, including Jorge's sister Maria Gomez, has also set up a GoFundMe page, appealing to the generosity of the public to reach the staggering surgery costs.
