Misplaced Craigslist Ad Leads NJ Woman to a Kidney Donor and a New Friend
The donor put out a similar ad for his own wife in a local newspaper in 2004.
— -- Two strangers from New Jersey have a Craigslist ad to thank for not only a kidney, but also a life-long friendship.
Glenn Calderbank, 39, of West Berlin, was scouring Craigslist for building supplies when he came across a misplaced ad written by Kay Saria, a man looking for a kidney for his wife Nina, Calderbank told ABC News today, and the ad was eerily similar to one he put out years earlier for his own wife Jessica.
“I was just like 'holy cow,'” Calderbank said. “I knew that Jessica, who I believe is my angel showing me the way, put that ad out there.”
In 2004, Calderbank's wife needed a new kidney because of diabetes, he said, so he took to his local newspaper for help. Jessica later received a kidney and a pancreas from a cadaver but after a year or two, had to go back on dialysis. She passed away in February 2011, Calderbank said.
He said his own story is what made him feel a connection to Nina Saria, 32, of Egg Harbor City. Saria found out in July 2014 that she had Microscopic polyangiitis, an autoimmune disease that would shut down her kidneys, and was put on emergency dialysis, Saria told ABC News today.
“Doctors were telling me that being on dialysis would not be good for me because I’m young and don’t have any other health issues,” Saria said.
After a year of failed attempts at finding a kidney donor, Saria said her husband suggested they try out Craigslist.
The Sarias received Calderbank’s email a month after posting the ad and although Saria and her husband were skeptical, she said they agreed to go to the potential donor’s house, where Calderbank told them his story and showed them scrapbooks of his late wife.
“I told them, ‘Now you understand my intentions. I know [your husband] feels helpless, I know your life is not even living. I want to get tested for you,’” Calderbank said.
Nina Saria added: “It was so emotional because those words were something I was waiting for.”
While waiting for the results, the Sarias became good friends with Calderbank and his now-wife Sue and they often eat dinner together.
Then, after three months of testing, Calderbank said he was cleared to donate his kidney to Saria.
“She was speechless. I could tell she was tearing up a little bit on the phone when I told her,” Calderbank said.
Saria added: “They’re family who will stay with me until the end of my life.”
The surgery is scheduled for Dec. 1 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Saria said.