Joseph Solis was driving by Kukui Grove Center when he saw a car wash going on Saturday morning and a sign with the words, “Help Save a Life,” and “SAL” in bright red.
That caught his attention.
The rest of the sign said, “Salvador Gabriel needs a kidney! Our goal is to raise $40,000. Can you help?”
Solis steered his gray Chevrolet Equinox toward a group of people with buckets, sponges, hoses and towels, and came to a stop. The Hanamaulu man wanted to help.
“It’s kind of near and dear to me because my brother also has bad kidneys,” Solis said. “He’s probably going to need a transplant and I’m one of the candidates.”
Solis was glad to have his vehicle washed and even more glad to make a donation.
“Anything to help somebody,” he said. “Try to help them out a little bit.”
A steady stream of cars arrived at throughout the morning, some paying the requested $15 for cars and $18 for trucks, while others tossed in a $20 bill and even some more bills.
A team of volunteers quickly went to work rinsing, washing, scrubbing and drying. They sometimes sprayed each other, smiled and laughed, none seeming to mind getting wet on a blue-skied, sunny day.
Among those in the mix was
Salvador Gabriel himself, hose in hand. He wore a baseball cap, sunglasses, blue T-shirt and shorts as he pitched in at a fundraiser to basically help him stay alive.
“I don’t mind. I’m glad to be here,” he said.
The 57-year-old from Kalaheo chuckled and smiled about all the attention he was getting.
“I’m feeling good today. So much people here,” he said. “It’s been real good.”
While Gabriel was doing well Saturday, his health is slowly failing.
After battling diabetes for years, he developed end stage renal disease.
He undergoes dialysis regularly, which leaves him tired, and now doctors say a kidney transplant is critical.
To deal with it, Gabriel keeps busy and stays positive.
“Just do the normal things that you used to do,” he said. “I try not to think about what I have.”
He is facing a costly operation and recovery.
The average kidney transplant costs over $335,000. And even with insurance, which will cover some of the transplant costs, Gabriel still faces significant expenses related to the surgery.
For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself.
When he receives his transplant, Gabriel will have to temporarily relocate to be near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food and lodging.
Thus, the $40,000 fundraising goal.
That’s where the car wash came in.
Organizer and volunteer Alexandra Thompson said about 50 people — friends, family, members of Holy Cross Catholic Church — pitched in, working in shifts. Drivers came earlier than the 9 a.m. start time.
“This is awesome,” she said. “We’re definitely having a good turnout.”
Another volunteer, Korey Wise, greeted drivers and connected them with the wash crew.
Wise himself had a kidney transplant on Oct. 1, 2013, and the donor was Alexandra Thompson.
Wise said they did fundraising before his operation, too, so he knows how Gabriel feels and wanted to help out. His wife, Danette, was a high school classmate of Gabriel’s.
The Hanapepe man said he’s been feeling great since his surgery.
“You gotta be outside, you gotta be running around,” he said.
Despite recent foot surgery, Wise wanted to be there and was upbeat and enthusiastic.
“We’re busy, busy, busy,” he said.
Gabriel’s son Matthew worked alongside his father cleaning cars almost as soon as they rolled up.
His dad, he said with a smile, likes to watch the news and “is a funny guy. He likes to joke around with me.”
Turning serious, Matthew looked at his dad and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“My dad, I really want him to live as long as possible,” he said.
Gabriel treasures his family. He said he is grateful for the love and support of his wife, Floricita, and their children and grandchildren. He looks forward to receiving a transplant so he will be able to go back to work and visit his grandchildren.
Now, all he wants is to be healthy, be with family and live a normal life. So he waits his turn for a new kidney, and raises money to help pay for it.
Saturday was a good start on that journey.
As trucks and cars came and went, Gabriel watched with a eye of appreciation and a big smile.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m really thankful.”
Wow… all this dedication just for my dad… I’m shook…