A young man meets the 19-year-old kidney donor who saved his life

welcome back to GMA it is time for some Monday motivation a really inspiring story and this young man right here his name is Chris and Chris just received a kidney transplant three weeks ago and neither his parents Cristina and Luis and thank you guys for joining us this morning and behind that door over there is another young man his name is Abraham he's a total stranger who donated his kidney to Chris they're about to meet for the very first time in Abraham he cannot hear us and Chris we're gonna have you put on this blindfold and these noise-canceling headphones because obviously I guess we don't want you to hear anything either or see there you go bud let me help you with that what we're gonna do right now we're gonna fill everybody else in on what led to this moment so check it out at just 16 years old Chris was diagnosed with lupus and advanced kidney disease it was like around the beginning of the school year you me and my brothers we played flag football my tried to throw the football but like literally the ball went like a couple feet and just hit the ground that's when I really knew that something was wrong I ended up going to one hospital emergency room the first thing that they told me was I had nephrotic syndrome it was basically like my kidneys were leaking proteins and stuff throughout my body he needed a kidney transplant his family prayed he would receive one instead of requiring dialysis treatments but his kidneys began to fail and dialysis became his only option the hardest part was putting him on dialysis he's always been positive when I would cry he would text me cuz he would have like mask on because he couldn't breathe he'll go don't worry mom I'm gonna graduate high school I'm gonna go to college you don't have to worry about me I'm gonna be okay but then more tragedy struck their family when Chris is 13 year old sister Bria passed away due to a bleeding disorder I was like devastated but um I sat there for a moment I was like it just can't be for no reason so I ran out the room and I reach her doctor and I'm like is there any way that she can give her kidneys to her brother they ran some tests and um his body wasn't cooperative at all they told us late afternoon that day that there was no way that they was gonna be able to transplant her organs into his having that conversation with Christopher one of the hardest things I've ever had to do after she passed away it was really hard especially like being away from my family because I'm always in the hospital then just one month ago Chris now 21 received a call that would change his life literally I'm on the phone I'm really nervous I kind of know where it's leading but I don't want to get my hopes up they tell me that they have a potential donor that donor 19 year-old Abraham who learned about the prospect of donating after reading an article on kidney donation just the year before I realized that this is really just a chance to seriously improve someone's life so he took the test in a year later found out he was a match think I felt more reassured that this was the right thing to do the first thing that he was like cry I thought about my sister and everything then I thought about like everything that I went through and hoping that it smilingly over and though Chris and Abraham have never met they now share a bond that can never be broken I'm so grateful to him he basically gave me new life everything I do everything [Music] amazing story and we're going to take off gotta take off the boys can't leave you can take off the blindfold as well and Chrissy you're ready to meet the man who gave you a kidney all right come on with me come on you little nervous yeah don't be it's gonna be all right my friend all right Abraham come on out [Applause] come back to the couch with me Oh Abraham thank you for being here my friend oh man Christina Louise Chris's parents as well and Chris I wonder what would you like to say to to Abraham right now I really wish there was any words that I would be able to say to describe to you how grateful I am for you giving me this new opportunity um I really want you to know you're getting went to a good place so I hope to make you proud one day and everything I do imma do it for you at abraham i meanwe what you did is amazing and what made you what what gave a spark you to make this incredible choice they helped a complete stranger I feel I have to gather myself yeah I read about the possibility of kidney donation and I learned that yeah a hundred thousand people needed a kidney and that the surgery was safe and it's an opportunity to really improve someone's life hits it so everyone we have you here now but I'm so happy I did it I'm grateful to have been able to do it well we're happy we're grateful as well Christina this is sitting here now and eat healthy because of the gift that Abraham gave himself do you have anything you'd like to say to Abraham I just want to say thank you there's no words that I could ever say to repay you or your family I'm just so grateful to you and in Lewis for you had the father to see your son healthy now and to see these two together how does that make you feel very happy because because this young gentleman my son would never well hopefully he won't suffer anymore and I know he's not gonna go to any Arlington anything anymore well if he said everything he do he's gonna do in order to make Abraham proud and in honor of Abraham and what do you want to say to people out there who are at home who may not have read the article that you read but they are considering being a donor what do you have to say to them I would say go for it yeah reach out to a hospital and see if you're eligible and if you are eligible really considerate yeah I was in the hospital for two days I was off painkillers and in five days I feel great it's three weeks out yeah and I'm yeah I'm so inspired I'm so happy that I did this and yet it's having somewhat of a ripple effect my mom is now considering being a kidney donor and she's reached out to the same hospital that I did I think if you know it's gonna extend further than just your mom I think you being here will extend it to other people out there would be considering this and for you Chris there are a lot of people gone through it you've been going through because this has been a struggle for quite a while what do you have to save those people who have been waiting or on the list you have anything encouraging words for them as well I know it's simple for me to just tell them not to lose hope because I'm at at certain times I felt like I would never get better but I know that just telling myself that I'll get better I'll get better I'll get better every day eventually hopefully I'll get better so just hoping and praying that the your kidney is out there and eventually it will come and we got to say Chris thank you Abraham thank you both for letting us share your story and the bond that you guys now have little rusty alive Christina Louise thank you for being here we're glad that you're doing well Chris and Abraham that your recovery is going well as well so thank you guys so much well hey there GMA fans Robin Roberts here thanks for checking out our YouTube channel lots of great stuff here so go on click the subscribe button right over right over here to get more of awesome videos and content from GMA every day anytime we thank you for watching and we'll see you in the morning on GMA

Channel: Good Morning America

Views: 1,817,193

Keywords: kidney, donor, organ, donation, transplant, gma, abc, news

Id: TQVUcEGkU7A

Length: 8min 56sec (536 seconds)

Published: Mon Jul 29 2019