Radamel Falcao Helps Colombian Teenager John Andres Uyaban Find Heart Donor

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has helped a Colombian teenager find a donor for a heart transplant.

John Andres Uyaban is reported to have been on the waiting list for over two years before Falcao's family members made him aware of the situation. The Red Devils forward, who arrived on a loan deal from Monaco during the summer, then moved into action. 

Sara Fernandez, Uyaban's mother, spoke to the Efe news agency in Bogota (h/t The Guardian): "I give thanks to God and Falcao—he's related to some cousins of mine who talked first to his father (Radamel Garcia) seeking his help in this effort."

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At this point, Falcao shared a message on his Facebook account to try to secure a donor.

"Help us get a new heart for John Andres, a 17-year-old kid with all the desire to keep fighting," it read, per The Guardian.

The aforementioned report suggests it only took 10 days to secure the necessary donor after Falcao's message was posted. Fernandez confirmed her son now faces another operation, while reiterating her gratitude to Falcao, per The Guardian: 

"

They’re going to perform another small surgery and we hope it’s not complicated. I always had that hope that Falcao would help us because he’s a public figure. Everyone listens to him and he’s also very humble and really believes in God.

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Uyaban's donor was another youngster from the city of Medellin, who had previously died in a car accident. Eurosport suggest John Andres could be released from hospital in the next 20 days after the transplant took place "this week."

Falcao's attitude has proven exemplary on and off the pitch this season. He works hard for Louis van Gaal—who still needs to decide whether to buy him permanently—and has endeared himself to fans with important goals against Everton, Aston Villa and Stoke.

His latest gesture underlines the power of fame, and indeed, the natural kindness of a man who was willing to help.