05.21.19

Durbin Shares Story Of Good Samaritan In Chicago

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) shared the story of Robert King, a Chicagoan who helped save the lives of two people awaiting organ donation. The Saturday before Easter, King was driving on Lake Shore Drive when he saw a van on the side of the road, and noticed another vehicle had T-boned the van at a stoplight.  As other cars passed by, King pulled over and stopped to see if he could help, and he noticed that the man in the van held a cooler.  He was stunned to find out that the van was an organ transplant vehicle and the man in the van was an organ transplant surgeon, Dr. Kofi Atiemo.

“Robert King stopped to help one stranger in need – but he ended up helping to save two lives,” Durbin said.

There are an estimated 113,000 men, women, and children in America who are living in waiting and hoping for organs to reach them.  Every 10 minutes, another person is added to that list.  Every day, 20 people die waiting for a transplant.

“The world needs more Good Samaritans, more Robert Kings – and more organ donors,” Durbin said.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate Floor are available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate Floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate Floor are available here for TV Stations.