Never underestimate the power of a simple sign -- it could move a stranger to save a life.
Raleigh Callaway, 49, of Greensboro, Georgia, had been battling stage five kidney failure and was in need of a transplant, according to USA Today. In an attempt to find a donor, Callaway, a police officer, posed for a photo with his wife and their daughters holding a sign, reading, "Our daddy needs a kidney!"
The picture, which was posted to Facebook, went viral, and spurred hundreds of people to offer to help, including Chris Carroll, a health care consultant from McKinney, Texas, who ended up being a match, the Atlantic Journal-Constitution reported.
Photo Credit: Brandy Angel Photography
"I just knew. Even though there were thousands of people who called in. I just had a feeling that was going to happen," Carroll said of being the right fit for the officer, according to USA Today.
The two underwent the transplant operations late last month, according to the Atlantic Journal-Constitution. The operations were successful, and both men have been released from the hospital, WSBTV reported.
Photo Credit: Brandy Angel Photography
Callaway's wife, Kristi, and photographer Brandy Angel were responsible for organizing the viral family photo. Ultimately, it was Callaway's two daughters, posing with their sign, that motivated Carroll to take action, 11Alive reported.
"When I saw Raleigh's story, saw pictures of the girls and everything, and it hit me," Carroll told WSBTV. "That's what kind of surprised me a little bit, there was never a doubt. I mean, it's like if my own dad needed a kidney -- that's how strongly I felt."
The family said that the experience has also led them to see the kindness in strangers on social media.
"Sometimes you do start wondering, 'Why can’t people be more loving and more considerate and more kind?'" Kristi told the Journal-Constitution. "This just shows me they can. They just need a reason. They need an outlet and something that speaks to them."
Photo Credit: Brandy Angel Photography
Callaway is expected to recover in about six weeks to three months, and will be ready to return to work, WSBTV reported.
To learn about Callaway's Angels, the organization that Brandy Angel and Kristi Callaway were inspired to start in the hopes of matching more kidney donors and recipients, click here. To see more of Angel's photos, visit her Facebook page here.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.