A pizza shop owner from Iowa hasfound a kidney donorafter months of searching — and it happens to be someone he already knew.

Three months later, Lainie Fox informed Sayasane thatshe was a match. Her fiancé, Dennis, who is Sayasane’s friend, “had tried to donate but didn’t qualify.”

Sayasane announced the exciting news in a post on Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse’sFacebook pageon Oct. 3. He also extended his “deepest gratitude” to both Fox and her fiancé for their generosity and support.

“Your selflessness, compassion, and willingness to offer a piece of yourself to me are nothing short of heroic,” Sayasane wrote in the post. “You have given me a second chance at life, a chance to dream, to aspire, and to savor the simple joys that life has to offer."

Fox told the outlet that she was inspired to help after losing her father to kidney disease five years ago. She wanted to donate a kidney to him at the time, but her father was “too sick” to receive it.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I think that had a lot to do with me really wanting to help,” Fox explained.

Sayasane’s kidney transplant is scheduled for Dec. 4, according to the report.

AGoFundMe campaignhas been started to help Sayasane, who is described as a “new father,” cover “the overwhelming medical expenses associated with his transplant.” More than $4,600 has been raised, as of Wednesday afternoon.

“The cost of a kidney transplant is substantial, and the financial burden is immense,” organizer Kathleen Fazio wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “No one should have to face such a challenge alone.”

The Norwalk Knights of Columbus are alsohosting a benefitat St. John’s Catholic Church on the morning of Oct. 22 to help Sayasane with his medical costs, according to a post on Facebook.

“This journey has taught me that the world is filled with remarkable people who possess incredible generosity of spirit,” Sayasane wrote in his Oct. 3 Facebook post.

“It has shown me that even in the face of adversity, there is a profound sense of unity and compassion that can bind us together as a global community,” the business owner added.

source: people.com