One handyman in Maryland has gone way above and beyond what he was hired to do when he spontaneously offered to donate one of his kidneys to his long-time customer turned friend. Tony Antonelli had no idea he would end up having his life saved when he hired Dan Reynolds, a 62-year-old former veteran who spent some time homeless. Antonelli had some repair work he needed done to his house and hired Reynolds on a recommendation.

During the time Dan spent working on the Antonelli’s home, he and Tony, 75, engaged in many great conversations. After completing a job in October 2020, Reynolds noticed that Antonelli was looking poorly and asked if he was feeling well. That’s when Tony shared that he was about to start dialysis again due to scar tissue that had built up around the kidney his wife, Mary, had given him 3 years prior. Reynolds didn’t hesitate to offer up one of his own kidneys to Antonelli.

Speaking to FOX 5, Mary Antonelli shared:

“…and Dan said, well what blood type are you? Tony told him. He said, ‘Well that’s my blood type! I would be honored to give you my kidney. What number do I call?’ That. Just like that.”

The Antonelli’s had not even begun the process of searching for a donor, but Reynolds was on the ball and ready to get going with the process. When asked about his eagerness to help, he referenced his own struggles he faced as a civilian after serving twenty years in the military, eventually becoming homeless. He also spoke of those who helped him during his times of need.

“Would I like for everybody to understand is, we can help each other in ways that are immense, you know. I know, we’d all have better lives if we just got along with each other,” said Dan Reynolds.

Dan’s selfless act took place on February 23rd with a successful kidney transplant at George Washington University Hospital. What makes Dan’s gift all the more incredible is the fact that he went into the surgery aware that while in recovery for the next 6-8 weeks after surgery, he will not be allowed to work as a handy man and earn an income.

As a thank you, the Antonelli’s have set up a GoFundMe page in hopes the community will pitch and help take care of this selfless gentleman until he can return to work again.

The Antonellis call Reynolds’ gift the “gift of life,” since Tony can now expect to enjoy many more years of life with his wife, children, and 15 grandchildren.