Global News Podcast The Happy Pod: The 88-year-old veteran given nearly $2m by strangers
12 snips
Jan 10, 2026 
Lucy Smith Butler, a fashion-minded campaigner from Manchester, shares her inspiring journey after having a colostomy as a teenager. She discusses her efforts to combat stigma surrounding stoma bags by turning them into fashionable covers. The conversation also highlights a heartwarming story of kindness, where a man raised nearly $2 million for an 88-year-old veteran struggling to retire. Between tales of resilience and innovative charity initiatives, this podcast is full of uplifting moments that celebrate human connection.
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Elderly Veteran Found And Funded
- Samuel Weidenhofer flew from Australia to Michigan after seeing a comment about Ed Bambas and found him working at a checkout at age 88.
- A viral GoFundMe raised about $1.77m so Ed can clear medical debt and consider retirement.
Walking Around The World With A Rescue Dog
- Tom Turcich walked around the world over seven years across 38 countries and adopted a rescue dog, Savannah, in Texas.
- He credits Savannah with companionship and steady morale, helping him walk long daily distances and endure hardships.
Turning Stoma Bags Into Fashion
- Lucy Smith Butler, who had a colostomy at 19, created fashionable stoma bag covers and organised a charity catwalk in Manchester.
- She aims to normalise stomas and donates covers to hospitals to help patients reclaim confidence and style.