JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – You might not know his name but chances are, you've seen his face.
A photo of then 11-month-old Sammy Griner trying to eat sand on a Florida beach turned him into an internet sensation. The photo became known as the "Success Kid" meme.
"I feel like he actually really embodies that title that he just kind of happened to get," said Laney Griner, Sammy's mom.
Eight years later, Sammy's dad is crediting his son with saving his life.
Later this month, Justin Griner will celebrate one year since his lifesaving kidney transplant.
Justin suffered from chronic kidney disease and was on the waiting list for a transplant. He finally got the call that a kidney was available last August. The transplant was covered by insurance, but the expensive prescription drugs Jason needed weren't.
"If you don't have the money and you can't get your medications, they won't give you a transplant,” Justin said. “Because your body will reject the kidney without the medications."
The family set up a gofundme account using the ‘Success Kid’ meme's popularity. They raised a whopping $100,000.
"Now I have to buy him everything he wants because I owe it to him," Jason said with a smile. “He'll always have that over me: 'Well dad, remember I did save your life.'"
"It's a game changer to see my dad alive and his kidneys back to normal,” said Sammy, now 9. “He's doing great and stuff."
