Last fall, Bob Dean ’53 needed a new kidney. Eight relatives and friends lined up to give him one of their kidneys, but none were a match. In desperation, Bob thought outside of the box and decided to do some advertising. He bought a marker and two wooden boards and wrote twelve simple words on the front and back:
“I need a kidney donor for a transplant. Can you help me?”
On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Bob took to the streets and donned his board on the corner of one of Oklahoma City’s busiest intersections. As drivers passed by, many rolled down their window to speak with Bob, and within 45 minutes, a TV producer from the local ABC affiliate appeared with a camera crew. The producers asked Bob to return to the same intersection the next day, which was Bob’s 84th birthday. Bob was filmed once again conversing with motorists, as he asked the people for help.
That Saturday evening after his first day on the street, and continuing on Sunday and Monday evenings, Bob received calls from over 200 volunteer donors from Florida to Alaska. One of those volunteers was a perfect match, and happened to be a retired US Army Ranger & Green Beret. Today, Bob and the donor are in the process of preparing for the transplant, which Bob expects to occur within the next 4 to 5 weeks.
Bob Dean is a sculptor, painter, composer and pianist, and playwright, but this demonstration of self-help and determination appears to top all. In his gentle and gentlemanly manner, Bob uniquely sought the gift of life, relying on the generous goodness of the American people.
See the video of Bob here.