LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Johnny Lowery has spent every Monday, Wednesday and Friday hooked up to a machine for hours, for five years.
“Two big needles in your arm, getting stuck every other day,” he explained.
Lowery was diagnosed with kidney disease almost seven years ago, and now the dialysis is just a part of life.
“I've had perfect attendance now for five years, I haven't missed a day.”
He told WHAS11 News that he’s on the transplant list but grew tired of waiting and figured he would design a t-shirt to help him find a donor. The shirt would read: Veteran in Need of a Kidney -- O Positive.
As fate would have it, Lowery pulled up behind a wrapped truck just a few months ago: Patriot Press T-Shirts and More. He dialed the number on the truck then and there and connected with Brandon Vincent, the owner.
Lowery didn’t know it at the time, but the number he dialed would ultimately change his life.
“Once he said he was a veteran in need of a kidney, that got wheels in my head turning,” said Brandon Vincent.
The strangers chatted for only ten minutes, just army veterans sharing their war stories. They would soon learn they also shared that rare blood type -- O Positive.
“Less than 3-percent of people ever put on the uniform that he and I wore, and at some point in our life we were both willing to sacrifice everything for people that we didn't even know, and that mindset doesn't just go away,” Vincent explained.
After several health exams and needle pricks, Vincent posted the special announcement on social media earlier in December.
“I’m 100% good to give this kidney,” he shared.
The surgery is scheduled for February 20.
“I've been on dialysis so long I just figured it's the way it's going to be, that I'd probably end up dying on dialysis, I just never imagined this would come, so I'm so thankful for this man,” said Lowery.
Through an act of kindness, giving a kidney is also a huge commitment. Vincent told WHAS11 News he will be out of work for two months because of the surgery. As he supports Lowery and donates his organ, he’s asking others if they could help support his family and donate money. If you would like to help, CLICK HERE.