Man Donates Kidney To Cop, Then Cop Repays The Kindness
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis police officer wants to give back to the man who saved his life.
Carlos Baires Escobar had been on the waiting list for a kidney for two years. In January, 20-year-old Sebastian Rivera saw a Facebook posting detailing Baires Escobar's story. Rivera then donated a kidney.
And every day now, Baires Escobar shows signs of healing.
"These guys miss me, so it feels good to be back," he said.
On the job for six weeks after a kidney transplant, the daily routine brings new meaning.
"Slowly, my body has been adjusting to the new organ, and I'm feeling great," Baires Escobar said.
He found health through a Facebook posting and a 20-year-old unlike any other.
"Without any reservations, he just decided to help somebody who he didn't know," Baires Escobar said.
Rivera says he doesn't regret the decision at all.
Pain and a long recovery didn't stop him from offering an organ. It was a gift that came with no expectations.
"Helping someone out, just because...it should be a normal thing, you know," Rivera said.
But a good deed doesn't go unnoticed, and Rivera needed help of his own.
Winter weather caused him to crash his car right before the organ donation surgery. He's also been out of work for recovery for weeks, he and can't afford the thousands needed to fix his car.
"So I decided I should do something about that," Baires Escobar said.
The Facebook page where the police officer once asked for an organ, now includes a plea to help Rivera.
"I just want to give him something back for something I could never pay for," Baires Escobar said. "It feels good to help people. It feels good to say, 'You know what: I'm going to help you.'"
If you'd like to help donate to the fund set up for Rivera, you can donate to any US Bank branch under the Help a Hero fund.
There will also be a benefit to help Officer Baires Escobar pay his medical bills. The Unite Fight event will be held Saturday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at the Uppercut Boxing Gym in Minneapolis. Tickets are $20 at the door. Go to www.uppercutgym.com for more information.
