In August 2016, Dawn Muhammad’s father was diagnosed with stage four kidney failure.
Her dad, Lucious Daniels, began receiving dialysis treatment twice a week and his name was added to a 5-year-long kidney transplant waiting list. The procedure was his only chance of survival.
Muhammad was devastated but determined to do everything in her power to help save her dad’s life. Soon after the diagnosis, she found out that her blood type was compatible with her dad’s, but that her BMI (Body mass index) was too elevated for her to be able to donate her kidney.
Driven by love
She was not a suitable candidate, and while the news came as painful blow, she wasn’t backing down and never lost sight of her goal.
"I looked at myself in the mirror and I said, 'Let's try this, let's try this, let’s really try and commit to it,” Muhammad told “Good Morning America”. "We told my father, 'This isn’t the end, this can’t be the end.’”
She decided to lose weight in order to give her dad a second chance at life.
Without telling Daniels about her plan, the wife and mother of two embarked on a 16-month long weight loss journey.
In December that same year, she hired a personal trainer and began making changes to her diet, which included cutting out sugar altogether.
A life-saving commitment
Her efforts paid off and Muhammad lost 55 pounds. She was now eligible to be a match for her father’s transplant and in April 2018, she broke the news to him.
“"I said, 'Dad … can I tell you a secret? I have been losing this weight not just for me, but for you!'" she remembered. "'This weight loss has been for you, I need you to give me that paperwork, I need to be that donor for you.'"
Last July, she got the phone call that she’d been praying for and worked hard towards: she was a perfect match.
The surgeries are scheduled for August 30 and Muhammad couldn’t be more proud. She encourages other potential organ donors to practice compassion and follow suit.
“"Just do it," she said. "It's a selfless act. It's an act of love, not an act of sacrifice...I was blessed enough to help my father and I'm praying that someone else can do the same for their loved one."”
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.