ST. PAUL, Min. – There is a bit of a role reversal going on in St. Paul. The man known for his gifts needs a specific gift for himself to survive.
When Santa Claus is at the North Pole, Dan Reed likes to be there.
‘Of course I’m a helper. Santa has to be in a million places, so he needs help,” Reed said. “It’s really heartwarming, it gets me going. I think it comes from the whole idea of helping people.”
Reed is known for helping people.
“I wouldn’t be the person or man I am today or where I am today without Dan Reed,” said disability rights advocate Dupree Edwards.
Edwards, who has a traumatic brain injury, said Reed is a beacon for the disability community. He advocates more dignified jobs.
“The opportunity to give people who just don’t have a chance or haven’t had a chance because life hasn’t treated them very well – let’s see what we can do. And luckily I have a lot of people,” Reed said.
Behind the smile lies pain. Reed has a kidney condition that has become serious.
“It’s sobering,” Reed said. “It’s now time for me to find a kidney because one of the experimental wonder drugs I’m on is on the decline.”
He is running a campaign to get more people to become donors. The more people he can register, the higher he goes on the transplant list.
Now those he supported are supporting him.
“His work is not done. He deserves to be saved. He has helped so many people in this community,” Edwards said. “Really listen to his story. It really is a life worth saving.”
The life of a man with many gifts to share.
“Oh, we’re not done yet, Santa still has a lot of work to do,” Reed said. “So if I get a kidney, I can do a little more work – and I certainly plan to.”
Reed has a page in the Nationa Kidney Registry with information on how you can help.
