It’s very seldom that life gives us a second chance but it always gives us many chances to do something life-changing for someone. However, risking our own lives for someone else often feels like too much to do. But when this young lad came to know that he could save his girlfriend’s father’s life by risking his own, he didn’t hesitate for a second.
23-year-old Andrew Mayzak donated his kidney to Paul Turcotte, his girlfriend Ashley Turcotte’s father. Paul was 17 when he first started experiencing kidney problems. And in 2011, he was officially diagnosed with a disease where the immune system attacks the kidneys. Dialysis then became the only option to extend his life. When Andrew came to know that he was the perfect match for Paul, he decides to give him another chance, reported ABC.
“I made up my mind pretty quick that I wanted to do it. I just wanted to make sure that her father got a second chance at life again,” Andrew told Good Morning America. Ashley at first wasn’t sure of sharing the grim reality of her father’s health with Andrew.
“I didn’t really open up about my family or my dad at first to anyone, but I knew how much Andy meant to me, and I wanted to be honest with him and upfront,” Ashley said.
But seeing her family going through a difficult time she decided to open up to Andrew and speak her heart out. “He was accepting of it. He really supported me and was really great,” Ashley said.
Seeing his lady love worry endlessly about her father, Andrew was determined to do something. Knowing that none of the family members were a match to Paul, he started doing some digging to become a potential kidney donor. His efforts finally paid off when he found out, after multiple tests, that he could donate one of his kidneys to Paul. “I didn’t want to see her or her family suffer anymore,” Andrew said. The family was delighted to have found a donor but were equally worried for Andrew.
“I felt a sense of hope when I found out he was a match, but I also was scared for him and what could happen to him,” Paul said. Talking about years of managing his full-time job and struggling with the illness, Paul said, “There were times when I didn’t know if I could continue. I just fought through the whole thing basically. It started to get to me at times, not being able to be there for the girls and for [my wife] on birthdays and other holidays,” he said. Both the men finally underwent successful surgery and are doing great. The family obviously was over-joyed with Andrew’s kind gesture.
“To see [my dad] happy and healthy, it’s just been really great. I can’t thank him enough,” Ashley said. “It was quite a gift, a sacrifice, a heroic thing to do, selfless … thank you just doesn’t seem like a strong enough word,” Ashley’s mom Tammy added.
Interestingly, Andrew met Ashley through a dating app. Talking about meeting Ashley for the first time, Andrew said, “I mean she’s pretty gorgeous. I just liked everything that I read, and we started talking.” Ashley Turcotte said the feeling was mutual. “We realized how much we really liked each other, and we just quickly fell in love,” she said.
It is very rare to find people like Andrew who are ready to do anything for their love. Ashley sure is one lucky gal!
Best of luck, guys!