When Erin Howell of The Colony, Texas, saw an elderly delivery driver struggling up a steep stairwell, she captured the moment on her doorbell camera. The driver, Donald Johnson, 81, was delivering lost luggage as an independent contractor.
Working to cover medical costs
Johnson explained to Howell that he has been making these deliveries for the past three years to help pay for his wife Josephine’s cancer treatment. The couple, married for 57 years, have faced a difficult financial stretch as Josephine battles pancreatic cancer.
“It’s the only job that will hire me,” Johnson said, noting that he has struggled to find other work at his age.
Community response and fundraiser
Howell posted the video online and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the family cover medical expenses and allow Johnson to stop working. The story quickly went viral, drawing thousands of donations and messages of support from strangers across the country.
“I think I’m going to be able to stop working, and that’s amazing,” Johnson told FOX 4 after seeing the outpouring of generosity.
Josephine expressed how the prayers and contributions lifted her spirits during treatment, saying, “I can face it. That’s the big difference. Some have made comments and they’re praying for us. It’s a joyful feeling.”
Fundraiser removed
Despite the massive response, the GoFundMe page was later taken down. The platform’s trust and safety team said the organizer account violated its terms of service, though it did not specify the exact breach. The Johnson family was informed that the donations would be refunded due to a “technicality.”
In a recent TikTok video, daughter Amy Johnson said the campaign had collected more than $700,000, but the family would not receive the money because of the removal.
GoFundMe stated its policies require “authenticity and transparency for donors,” and it did not provide further details.
Looking ahead
The Johnson family remains hopeful that community support will continue in other forms, and they appreciate the prayers and encouragement they have received throughout Josephine’s treatment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
