PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine man who responded to a plea for a kidney donation that he saw painted on a car window said Monday that the surgery is scheduled for next week.
Joshua Dall-Leighton of Windham said the surgery will take place June 16 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Pierter did not immediately return phone messages from The Associated Press seeking confirmation that the surgery was on.
Dall-Leighton responded to the plea for a donor on South Portland resident Christine Royles’ car. But the surgery was delayed by medical and legal hurdles, including crowdsourced donations to Dall-Leighton aimed at defraying his expenses.
Hospital officials said they needed time to determine if the donations violated the National Organ Transplant Act, which forbids potential donors from profiting from a donation. A crowdfunding website set up for the donation has raised more than $49,000. Royles also organized fundraisers to pay bills and reimburse Dall-Leighton’s time away from work.