Boston Custodian's Selfless Act Leaves Everyone Asking: Why Did He Do It?

The custodian was given the "Unsung Hero Award."

October 5, 2026, 3:13 PM

A custodian at a Boston school was honored in a ceremony Friday for donating his kidney to help save the life of a teacher’s brother, according to the school.

The Boston Arts Academy honored Andrew Allen on National Custodian Day for his donation to help the brother of Thomas Thermidor, a teacher at the academy.

“This celebration was about more than recognition; it was about making sure the people who do so much behind the scenes know that they are seen, valued, and appreciated,” the Boston Arts Academy Foundation wrote in a social media post.

Allen received the “Unsung Hero Award” at the ceremony, where he and Thermidor embraced in front of the attendees, video footage by ABC News’ Boston affiliate WCVB showed.

Though Allen’s kidney was found not to be a match for Thermidor’s brother himself due to their age difference, Allen was still eager to make the donation to move him up on the transplant list and help someone else, according to WCVB.

Thermidor's brother now has a new kidney, and both he and Allen have recovered from their surgeries, according to WCVB.

Thermidor and Allen met on the fifth floor of the school and have grown close over the years, so when Allen heard Thermidor's brother needed help, he sprang into action, WCVB reported.

"Today, we celebrated the power of service, generosity, and community," Boston Arts Academy said in its post.