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Cab Driver Gives Passenger A Kidney

by candice.tsuei | August 26, 2009 at 04:02 pm

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Rita Van Loenen, a central Arizona woman, had no idea that a ride in Thomas Chappell's cab would save her life, as the driver offered her a matching kidney.

Before this blessed encounter, Van Loenen had already undergone a kidney transplant from her cousin, but was unsuccessful. Finally one day, she met her guardian angel on one of her repeated trips to dialysis. Not only did he offer to donate his kidney, he also happened to have the same blood type as Van Loenen, making his kidney compatible for the transplant.

"There are better odds of getting struck by lightning," Van Loenen said. "A random taxi driver offering to give me his kidney and all these pieces match. There has to be something behind this. How can this be?"

"I said Rita, the Lord has told me to give you a kidney. The Lord will provide," he said, "I've heard people say there's no miracles no more, it's not true."

Thomas has already taken six days off from work for the testing, before the transplant actually happens. Von Loenen has set up an account at Chase Bank and all of the money raised will go to Chappell to help him with expenses during his recovery.

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Tom999 (not verified)

at 15:11 on September 11th, 2009

Was this the cab driver profiled on the CBS News? The one who looked like a 5 pack-a-day smoker and was walking his PIT BULL! Geez, I would have said thanks and run the other way when he offered his kidney to me!