Success Kid kidney transplant, For years an adorable toddler meme dubbed the "success kid" has delivered countless laughs and smiles across the Internet.
Now the actual boy's father needs the Internet's help.
Justin Griner, whose photograph of his then 11-month-old son Sam clenching a sandy fist in the air has been shared and edited numerous times, is now in dire need of a kidney transplant.
"One can only survive with no natural kidney function and using article kidney filtering for so long," his wife, Laney Griner, told the Daily Dot of their family's struggle.As of Tuesday evening the Jacksonville, Fla. family — whose son is now age 8 — has raised more than $48,000 of a $75,000 goal through a GoFundMe account aimed at not just finding a potential donor but paying for his medical treatments.
Medicare will cover 80% of post-surgery costs, she told ABC News. But just the first year of drugs will cost them $12,000.
"Six years on dialysis is getting to be a long time," she told ABC News of his 12-hour a week treatments that have prevented him from working and increases his risk of further complications.The only way to save his life is to get a transplant. There's no other way around that," she said.
The frightened mother said she was initially hesitant about using her son's Internet stardom to attraction attention to their plight.
But her husband's mother died from his same disease and she fears they're running out of time.
"We're the parents of 'Success Kid' for goodness sake," she told the Daily Not. "If anyone understands the power, the mass, and goodwill of the Internet, it's those of us lucky to experience it daily."
While some critics have slammed the Griner's online fundraising, specifically for their public mention of their son, others have matched their sympathy with help.
That's particularly seen among those who say they've either been in this family's shoes or know a loved one who has.
"I'm 37 — I got diagnosed with (End Stage Renal Disease ) in 2002 when I was 24. Had two kidney transplants in that time, and was on dialysis for 5 years. I know how rough it can be. My best to all of you," Steven Alexander posted on their fundraising page.
"My husband is also on dialysis (three times) a week and awaiting a kidney transplant," Christina Wallar added. "Your family is in my thoughts — can't wait till you guys get a kidney!"
In addition to accepting monetary donations, they're providing contact information on the GoFundMe page for anyone who would like to be tested to see if they're a match.
Now the actual boy's father needs the Internet's help.
Justin Griner, whose photograph of his then 11-month-old son Sam clenching a sandy fist in the air has been shared and edited numerous times, is now in dire need of a kidney transplant.
"One can only survive with no natural kidney function and using article kidney filtering for so long," his wife, Laney Griner, told the Daily Dot of their family's struggle.As of Tuesday evening the Jacksonville, Fla. family — whose son is now age 8 — has raised more than $48,000 of a $75,000 goal through a GoFundMe account aimed at not just finding a potential donor but paying for his medical treatments.
Medicare will cover 80% of post-surgery costs, she told ABC News. But just the first year of drugs will cost them $12,000.
"Six years on dialysis is getting to be a long time," she told ABC News of his 12-hour a week treatments that have prevented him from working and increases his risk of further complications.The only way to save his life is to get a transplant. There's no other way around that," she said.
The frightened mother said she was initially hesitant about using her son's Internet stardom to attraction attention to their plight.
But her husband's mother died from his same disease and she fears they're running out of time.
"We're the parents of 'Success Kid' for goodness sake," she told the Daily Not. "If anyone understands the power, the mass, and goodwill of the Internet, it's those of us lucky to experience it daily."
While some critics have slammed the Griner's online fundraising, specifically for their public mention of their son, others have matched their sympathy with help.
That's particularly seen among those who say they've either been in this family's shoes or know a loved one who has.
"I'm 37 — I got diagnosed with (End Stage Renal Disease ) in 2002 when I was 24. Had two kidney transplants in that time, and was on dialysis for 5 years. I know how rough it can be. My best to all of you," Steven Alexander posted on their fundraising page.
"My husband is also on dialysis (three times) a week and awaiting a kidney transplant," Christina Wallar added. "Your family is in my thoughts — can't wait till you guys get a kidney!"
In addition to accepting monetary donations, they're providing contact information on the GoFundMe page for anyone who would like to be tested to see if they're a match.
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