When This Woman Saw An Ad At Her Local Coffee Shop, No One Could Believe What She Did Next
Image Source: The Family Coach
Life is hard. People all over the world are constantly bombarded with stress. Unavoidable circumstances — whether good or bad — often play a role in one’s general mood. There are things we can control…and things we can’t. With that said, there’s one virtue of everyday life one can attribute towards all humans: Kindness.
Dr. Catherine Pearlman knows all about this. The wife of famed sportswriter Jeff Pearlman, Catherine did something that very few would ever attempt. With one simple yet extremely generous gesture, this woman changed the lives of one family forever.
Early Roots
Image Source: TheFamilyCoach
Catherine is renowned for her work as a professional in the field of parenting issues. After garnering three degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), Catherine began helping people all over the world. Her work has been featured in print media, on television, and within her novel, Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction.
A Loving Family
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
Catherine and her husband Jeff both originally hail from New York. Jeff — an acclaimed sportswriter, journalist, and novelist — is well-known within the sports world. After having two children, the family decided to make the move from New York to Orange County, California.
Highly Successful
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
Both Catherine and Jeff are at the top of their respective fields. Aside from being exceptionally successful, each work tirelessly to foster a positive environment rooted in family time. One morning, Catherine ran an errand for one of her friends. Little did Jeff and Catherine realize that this mundane activity would change their lives infinitely.
Cup of Coffee?
Image Source: NPR
Catherine was sitting in a local Starbucks on what seemed like an ordinary day. She then noticed a flyer posted next to the sugar and creamer area. The flyer — posted by married couple Monica and Eli Valdez — spoke of Eli’s need for a new kidney. Unfortunately for Eli, he had the rare O+ blood type.
A Match
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
Later that evening, Catherine brought up the possibility of donating a kidney to Jeff. She, like Eli, also had an O+ blood type. Catherine questioned whether offering to give a kidney to a complete stranger was a good idea. After more thought, Catherine came to a conclusion.
Putting Process Into Motion
Image Source: Los Angeles CBS Local
With the goal of helping this complete stranger, Catherine was tested extensively at UCLA’s Medical Center. It was determined that she was indeed a match. From there, she was placed onto a list. If contacted, Catherine would donate her kidney. If not, she’d go about her busy life. One day, the phone rang.
The Special Day
Image Source: Stocksy United
Among his many talents, Jeff is also a blogger. From time to time, he’ll scribble down personal anecdotes on a number of trivial and mundane daily occurrences. In this case, he decided to document his wife’s journey that day in the hospital. During the sign-in period, Catherine and Jeff noticed a couple sitting in the waiting room. It was Eli and Monica.
An Emotional Meeting
Image Source: Instagram (@kidney4eli)
Jeff and Catherine walked over to the man whom she was donating her kidney to. Eli had been sick for quite a while, and Catherine — out of the goodness of her heart — was set to save this man’s life. As Eli and Catherine went into surgery, Jeff learned about his story from Eli’s wife, Monica.
Getting Duped
Image Source: Jeffpearlman.com
For nearly a year, Eli had been needing a transplant. None of his family members matched up. Monica did end up finding a match in the form of an old childhood friend. As the woman prepared for the surgery, something absolutely shocking occurred.
In Need of Help
Image Source: Facebook
The woman originally tasked with donating her kidney to Eli suddenly disappeared from the process completely without any notice. It was a shocking blow to the family, as Eli was now back to square one. Even more peculiar (as told to Jeff), the woman will “Like” Facebook posts put up by Monica despite still never addressing why she disappeared from the process altogether. The ad placed in Starbucks was a last-ditch effort to help Eli. As fate would have it, Catherine became the family’s guardian angel.
Reliving the Past
Image Source: The Family Coach
As Monica and Jeff talked, Jeff wrote about his time when he and his wife first started dating. Catherine dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate. He saw that from a young age — even as Catherine helped the homeless during the holiday season. Monica and Eli were just now witnessing what Jeff had known for years.
Meeting The Father
Image Source: Jeffpearlman.com
Eli’s parents walked up to Jeff and introduced themselves. Eli’s father got emotional to the point where he walked away from Jeff. Eli was his best friend, and the thought of Catherine voluntarily donating a kidney to him became too much. At that point, the doctor walked out to speak with Monica.
A Personal Regaling Of The Event
Image Source: Jeffpearlman.com ; Quote Source: Jeffpearlman.com
Jeff penned this paragraph in his blog:
Around this time, the doctor who inserted the kidney entered the room. He asked for Monica, who excused herself and left for the hallway. I watched from 100 or so feet away as she listened, listened, then raised her arms into the air. She wrapped her arms around the doctor, returned, said, “He told me the kidney is doing exactly what it’s supposed to!” She asked if she could hug me. Of course — it was as satisfying a hug as I’ve known. I then watched her and a gaggle of family members embrace.
Jeff then called this the greatest moment of his life.
A Heavenly Exchange
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
Jeff was able to go see Catherine — who at this point was resting in a room. A nurse walked into the room, and asked Jeff if the story involving Starbucks was true. After confirming it, the nurse told Jeff that he was married to an angel.
Unexpected Support
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
Jeff’s retelling of the story involving Eli and Catherine was eventually published. He shared it on his Twitter account (which is quite active). Within minutes, dozens of people began retweeting, ‘liking’, and commenting on this wholesome tale.
Starbucks Recognizes Catherine
Image Source: Twitter
The official Starbucks Twitter account saw Jeff’s tweet on his wife, and decided to retweet it. Even further, Catherine announced that Starbucks had sent her a “lovely gift card” after her benevolent act. Within a few short days, Catherine’s story went viral.
A Lasting Impact
Image Source: Instagram (@jeff_pearlman)
From this point on, Eli will be able to live a normal life. This was in large part to Catherine and her gigantic heart. Her act of charity is something Eli and his family will never forget.
Resuming Life
Image Source: Twitter
Both Eli and Catherine are recovering post-procedure. For Catherine, it means spending time with her family (along with the family dog). Though he’s not blogging about the special day currently, Jeff is sitting back working on his latest book. It centers on a large chunk of Los Angeles Lakers’ history.
A Class Act
Image Source: The Family Coach
Catherine Pearlman is a wonderful woman. Very few in today’s age look to offer their help to a complete stranger. She not only did that — but literally saved a life in the process. We all could stand to take a page from Catherine’s book.
