Don Johnson, 81, went viral after a video of him carrying heavy luggage up a flight of stairs started circulating online. The footage prompted a GoFundMe campaign to help him, but the fundraiser has now been shut down.
After a video of 81-year-old Don started spreading online, it quickly went viral. In the doorbell footage, he can be seen carrying two heavy pieces of luggage up the stairs.
Don, who lives in Dallas, Texas, has spent the past three years delivering lost luggage back to its owners. He took on the job to help cover the cost of treatment for his wife, Josephine, who is battling cancer.
Erin Howell noticed Don after seeing him carrying suitcases up the stairs. Curious to learn more about him, she eventually discovered why he was doing the work and decided to set up a fundraiser to help Don and his wife.
Don Johnson GoFundMe
On the GoFundMe page she started to help him, Howell wrote: “The other day, I looked out my door cam and saw 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.”
The fundraiser went on to raise more than $281,000 before it was taken down. In a statement to Fox 4, GoFundMe said: “Ensuring GoFundMe is a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority,” according to UNILAD.
“After further review by our Trust & Safety team, the organizer account and fundraiser have been found to be in violation of our Terms of Service, and the fundraiser removed and refunded.”
