New Kids on the Block has experienced a lot of wild things throughout his career and during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s TikTok Radio Donnie Wahlberg shared a heartbreaking story about the craziest thing a fan ever said to him.
Speaking to host Lamar Dawson, the 54-year-old singer and husband of Jenny McCarthy recalled a fan telling him she received a kidney transplant from another fan.
“It’s not something darker – it’s actually something really hopeful – but we literally were with some fans and one of them brought a sign to a show in the front seat and said, ‘I need a kidney transplant. ‘ And we happened to see the sign, took selfies with it, posted it and another fan donated her kidney,” shared Wahlberg.
He continued, “This is crazy in the best way. She literally did it. I went to the show and said, ‘I’m going to make this happen and save my life.’ And she did. Another Blockhead risked his life to do it.
“Wow, the power of social media. See, social media can be used for good,” Dawson added.
Although Wahlberg has not shared any other details, as of August 2023, KABC reported that Orange County teacher Theresa Crockett — who has polycystic kidney disease — found a kidney donor after attending a New Kids on the Block concert the previous year.
“I was scared, I was scared, and I didn’t tell anyone other than my family,” Crockett told the outlet at the time.
According to Crockett, Wahlberg saw his sign at the show and “doubled down and said, ‘I got you, I got you.'”
She added: “When he said those words and punched us, it was exactly what I needed to hear.”
Another New Kids on the Block fan, Christina Meyer of Wisconsin, ended up contacting Crockett and offering her kidney.
“I saw her banner and we talked briefly while we were there,” Meyer said. KABC. “I’m glad I could do this for her.”
According to the agency, Crockett underwent surgery on August 31 and the kidney was sent from Wisconsin to Los Angeles.
“I knew in my heart that if I reached them, something magical would happen and it did,” Crockett noted at the time.
NKOTB – which includes Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Danny Wood and Joey McIntyre – is currently preparing for her Magic Summer 2024 tour.
In November, ET spoke with the band about their upcoming tour and Wahlberg said they are very excited to “be back with the fans.”
“It never gets old, you know? Going on stage, opening night of every tour, feels not only more amazing, but more special, more meaningful, and a little louder every time,” Wahlberg said.
“It’s amazing. It really is. I mean, we’re one big family at this point, you know?” McIntyre chimed in. “For your kids to show up and want to be a part of it and be out there, it just adds another aspect of energy. And it’s super cute.”
O New Kids on the Block The Magic Summer 2024 tour kicks off on June 14th.
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