Sanai Graden, known on TikTok as @hustlanani, is a D.C.-based college student studying fashion at the University of California, Berkeley. She is in town for an internship. While filming a trip to the grocery store, a stranger approached her and requested tea.
In the popular video with over 20 million views, Graden explained, “I just didn’t want to leave him with only tea.” I wanted to leave him with more, so I attempted to help him as much as possible. So that’s why you saw me sprinting around DC. He reminded me of my uncle, so I was like, ‘ugh’, and then he was just really cool and considerate, and I was like, ‘okay, I like you’.”
Instead of taking meals at first, the visitor, named as Alonzo, informed Graden that he was in extreme agony and required emergency medical attention.Graden quickly discovered that the man was homeless and battling prostate cancer.
During a five-hour trek through D.C., pushing her shopping cart alongside the man’s suitcase, their search for the appropriate drugs led them to numerous CVS shops before finding his prescriptions.
Her GoFundMe effort for Alonzo drew sympathy from everyone affected by the incident. Graden started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Alonzo’s medical bills, accommodation, clothing, and shoes. She was encouraged by the amount of love she received after posting her trip on TikTok.
“He was in pain, and it was difficult to watch, so I didn’t want to post it. Graden encouraged everyone to donate and do something. “Let’s see where this can go, my original goal was ten thousand dollars.”
Over $400,000 has been raised for Alonzo’s GoFundMe campaign, which exposes his problems with homelessness, lack of family support, and prostate cancer.
It also underlines Graden’s difficulty in locating a lodging for Alonzo because he had no identity when she discovered he was staying at a church. They were still able to check in thanks to their persistent efforts.
Graden told WUSA9 that she has been using her credit cards to buy stuff for him while GoFundMe money are not yet available. She said that Alonzo had been homeless for seven years and was only recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. She paid his phone bill for up to a year and kept in touch with him via the phone she provided him. He now has health insurance, which she believes will help him overcome cancer.
Graden emphasized that every gift, whether monetary or by simple participation in her video, is essential to positively impacting Alonzo.Others have offered her help from a local dentist and other options.
Moving forward, the philanthropist revealed that she plans to create an Amazon wish list for essentials. It will be open to anyone who want to contribute or offer resources.She also requested that anyone who knew of more resources that could help the cause send a direct message on TikTok.
She now hopes that others will reconsider and commit more acts of kindness, saying, “Be kind, because you never know someone’s story.” Everyone has a story, and if I had stayed there and judged him based on his appearance, none of this would have occurred.
@hustlanani Please help me help him !