Doctor Stuart Himmelstein turns to social media to solicit for new kidney

A doctor who has dedicated his life to helping others is now in need of healing of his own.

Doctor Stuart Himmelstein, who practices at Delray Medical Center, recalled the moment he was first diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex; “It was like, wow, me?”

The disease causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs like the kidneys.

“In training, we had a cynical humorous saying that the last thing you want to be is the ‘interesting case.’ Well, here I am. I’m the interesting case,” he said.

For the past six years Dr. Himmelstein has been on the deceased kidney donor waiting list.

With no successful match so far, he’s decided to take matters into his own hands.

“A friend of mine actually put me in touch with Jonathan, who was successful in finding a stranger who donated a kidney by means of social media,” he said.

Jonathan Daniels says he started the online campaign to find a kidney after he lost faith in the healthcare system.

It was a success!

“A young guy that lived in Los Angeles wrote to me and said how do I get tested,” Daniels said.

One year later he added, “I received a kidney from what was originally a total stranger.”

Daniels inspired Dr. Himmelstein to launch his own online campaign called: ‘New Kidney For Stu.’

It’s already generated some feedback.

“I’ve had people reaching out to me from all over the country and sometimes foreign countries,” Dr. Himmelstein said.

It’s an act of kindness that Himmelstein’s colleague is very familiar with.

Mary Milchikier is a nurse at Delray Medical Center who donated her kidney to her brother-in-law.

Fighting back tears she said, “It’s like the best moment of your life that you can do for somebody. I am so happy that I did it.”

Dr. Himmelstein is hanging onto hope that he too will find his match.

“I’m now left with finding a walking angel.”

For more information on ‘New Kidney For Stu’ click here.