Cabbie Hailed for Donating Kidney

Regular Taxi Passenger in Need of a Kidney Says, "It's Hard For Me To Express In Words how Grateful I Am"

(CBS)  Although Phoenix cab driver Tom Chappell insists he always knows where he's going, he has been known to miss a turn or two.

Such was the case the day we rode with him, and such was the case a few months ago, the day Tom got called to the home of Rita Van Loenen.

"I was running about 30 minutes late. When I finally did pick her up she was not a happy camper," said Tom.

"Well, I mean I'm expecting a cab driver to be able to find his way," said Rita.

Information on Organ Donation
National Kidney Foundation
Steve Hartman's blog on this story

Rita didn't tip him. In fact, she was hoping she'd never see him again - but fate had other plans. Over the next two months, it seemed like every time Rita called a cab - Tom was dispatched.

"I'm thinking 'Why Lord?' Why are you picking me," said Tom.

Tom says Rita continued to be cranky, even when he wasn't late. Most cab drivers would have probably barked right back, but not Tom. Tom just wondered about her.

He wondered if her attitude had anything to do with where he was taking her all the time - a medical office with a door that read "kidney dialysis."

"So I went to the library and started learning more, and then I started understanding why she was that way," Tom said.

Through his research and from talking to Rita, Tom learned how physically and emotionally draining dialysis can be. He learned what Rita really needs is a kidney transplant, but none of her friends or family are suitable donors. And finally, he learned something about himself - something incredible, really.

"I try to be as good to people as I can. In fact, I've always said I'd give someone the shirt off my back if they asked me for it, but I never thought about giving somebody a part of me," he said.

"You know, it's just unbelievable that the cab driver wants to give me his kidney," said Rita.

Of course, Rita knew Tom probably wouldn't be a match, but the fact that he so sincerely offered meant the world to her. And later, when he actually followed through and got tested, she was blown away. And when those test results came back, they were both in utter disbelief.

"They said if it was any closer we'd be siblings," Tom said in disbelief.

The surgery is planned for later this year.

Rita said, "I tell him it's hard for me to express in words how grateful I am."

Tom says it's nothing, really. He says he just had a talk with God and God thought it was a good idea. He never expected there to be anything in it for him - but there was.

Not a kidney, but a piece of his heart that was lost. Tom reconnected with a daughter he hadn't seen in 30 years.

She saw his story on the local news. And they talked. They talked for a long time.

Tom says that after an ugly divorce, his wife took their daughter and disappeared.

The irony is that, part of the reason Tom offered Rita his kidney in the first place is because he figured he didn't have a whole lot more to live for anyway.

Tom told Rita, "This has not just given you a new life. It's given me another life."

If all goes well they should both be enjoying those new lives by this Christmas.

Tom's boss, Chicago-based Flash Cab has agreed to not only keep paying Tom while he's recovering from the surgery - but they're also paying for his airline ticket to Kentucky to see his daughter.

[sharoncalla]

After Tom and Rita recuperate, it would be nice to do a follow up story on both him and her. Tom with his re-united daughter, and Rita with her better health. I think the both of them deserve rewards beyond measure as both seem to have suffered for a long time. Then sharing the story felt like a heaven sent story, in the cruel world we live in. I think the VIP cab company knew they had a good man in Tom, and VIP cab company shines for standing by him as he does this wonderful thing. I hope both Tom and Rita recover 100%. Then if Rita needs a cab, we know who she calls. Too sweet! Everyone pray for Tom and Rita, and CBS keep us posted.

[tomo109]

God bless Tom, and thank you for airing this story. My wife at age 39, had renal failure and has begun dialysis. I wanted to immediately give her one of my kidneys, but her body rejected my blood. Numerous family members tried to donate but her body rejected all of them. We are now entering the paired kidney exchange, and seeing this story has renewed my hope that God will provide for us, when the time is right, and with the right person.

[swohiofeline]

I was cheering for Mr. Chappell and his incredible decision to donate a kidney to someone he barely knew. I donated a kidney to a friend of mine in June and I feel it is a God given honor and privilege to have had such an opportunity. Dialysis is one option, yes, and clearly it is a difficult one. Waiting for a cadaver donor is another possibility, but I have just recently learned that cadaver kidneys do not last nearly as long as one given by a living donor.

Its been three months since my donation and to be frank, I don't know why we have two kidneys, I am doing just fabulously with one. I guess the other kidney is a gift to be given away if the opportunity presents itself. Hurray for all the one kidney'd people out there, and for any one else considering being a donor, study, read, ask and talk. For myself, I am so happy I did it.

[103108]

What a brave and generous thing to do Mr. Chapell. From what I was told a year ago, there are over 100,000 people on the kidney transplant list. For me, it would be a 5-7 year wait for my blood type. Over nine people offered to be donors, family and friends, and no one matched. Thank goodness for the Paired Kidney Exchange at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. My wonderful husband wanted to be the donor, but didn't match. Therefore we were matched with another couple in the same predicament, a willing donor but not a match. My husband donated to an uncle and I received the nephews kidney. Live donors are also better kidneys, so Mr. Chapell, you have no idea of the gift you gave. The hardest thing to do is ask someone to give up a body part for you. You gave her life, thank you.

[swohiofeline]

I do not mean to speak for your donor, but can only tell my own truth. You did not ask for someone to give up a body part, they did it freely and with joy. You know yourself the rigors involved in the donor-transplant process. At any point along the way the donor could have said Stop, No. You did not ask for the condition that took your native kidneys away. You did not deserve that. It is an honor to be able to help, and you gave someone a truly great gift, to be able to give a part of themself for the benefit of another. Not everyone gets that chance.

[2323_3]

My wife Susanne was a heart transplant. She lived almost fourteen years. She worked very diligently on behalf of organ donation for all of those years. Her hero, and our family's hero is her donor Tommy Mattakat of Duluth, Minnesota. mr. Chappell is a hero, and a true Christian. I am so happy he will be reunited with his daughter and grandchildren. God watches over those who "love their neighbor"
God bless you Mr. Chappell

[rubyerwin]

What a great story, please keep us updated on the out come for both of them. My prayers are with them.

[LIFESHARERS]

Your story about cabbie Tom Chappell highlighted the tragic shortage of human organs for transplant operations.

Over half of the 100,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage ? give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 12,000 members at this writing, including 728 members in New York.

Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your viewers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you're interested. My email address is [e-mail]. My phone number is 615-351-8622.

[swohiofeline]

I donated a kidney to a friend of mine. When people asked me why, I said, if I died with two kidneys and one would have saved his life, what a waste that would have been! I had forgotten that til I read your comment, about how many perfectly good organs are either buried or cremated.

[Ramonchelo]

I was ready to sit down to dinner when I started watching the story and every second that passed made me think of how I had to tell this story at the dinner table as I was deeply moved and in awe.These are our real heroes, the ones that don't get real media attention...fortunately this story did. Please play it again so that more people can see it and can benefit from someone's good heart and can reflect on the simple things life still offers. Not all is bad news and we do have happy endings.
My best wishes go out to Tom & Rita and thank you to Steve for a wonderful story and to VIP Taxi for rewarding Tom.

[jarolds]

What a wonderful man, just goes to show no matter who yu ar or what yu have, man or business there is very much good in us all i am so happy this is the kind of story that make the whole world know there is good in us all thank you Mr Chappell

[carollm1]

What an amazing story about Mr.Chapell and Rita, his cranky customer. It is not only a reminder that miracles do happen, but that people can play a role in making them happen. All it takes is a compassionate open heart, like his.