A senior man from Texas has attracted widespread attention after being filmed struggling to carry heavy bags up a staircase while working to cover medical expenses for his wife, who is battling cancer. Thanks to the generosity of kind-hearted strangers, nearly $250,000 has been raised to assist them.
In a video captured by Erin Howell’s doorbell camera, the 81-year-old delivery man, Don Johnson, returned luggage that had been lost from Howell’s recent flight. She described being taken aback when she noticed the elderly man, exhausted and laboring to carry her heavy bags up a steep staircase.
“The other day, my door cam caught an 81-year-old man slowly and painstakingly carrying my heavy luggage that had been lost on a recent flight up a steep flight of stairs. He looked absolutely exhausted, and his steps were heavy with effort, which just broke my heart,” Howell shared on GoFundMe. “It was clear that he wasn’t doing this by choice; it was a matter of survival.”
For three years, Johnson has been delivering luggage to their rightful owners as an independent contractor after his wife, Josephine, was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer. They’ve been married for 57 years and have moved in with their daughter to help cope with the challenges of the illness.
However, Johnson quickly found himself overwhelmed by escalating medical bills and prescription costs, prompting him to seek additional work. “It’s the only job that will hire me,” he mentioned to Howell.
He explained, “With rising grocery prices and other expenses, we were just barely getting by.” He had tried applying at places like Amazon and Walmart but faced obstacles in securing a position.
His demanding job requires him to drive long distances daily, accumulating over 200,000 miles on his vehicle, which has led to significant mechanical issues.
Despite his age, he often puts in 14-hour workdays to earn extra money. Howell pointed out that “at a time when he should be resting and cherishing every moment with his wife, he’s out lifting heavy bags just to provide for her.”
After watching the emotional video of Johnson, Howell, who initially was just a concerned customer, took the initiative to set up a fundraiser to help ease his burdens.
“He shouldn’t have to face this overwhelming financial and physical strain alone anymore,” she stated. “Every single dollar raised will go directly to helping them get through this crisis.” As of now, the crowdfunding campaign has managed to raise over $244,000 towards the $300,000 target since its launch on September 2.
Johnson expressed his gratitude for Howell’s support and is hopeful about the financial relief. “I think I might finally be able to stop working, which is just amazing,” he shared. “We’re not completely in the clear yet, but we’re making significant progress.”
Meanwhile, Josephine has found renewed hope amid their struggle, feeling more empowered following the support they’ve received. “I feel like I can face it now. That’s a big difference,” she remarked. “Knowing that people are praying for us brings a sense of joy.”
