GoFundMe has shut down a viral fundraiser for an 81-year-old Texas man and refunded all $281,000 in donations after finding the campaign violated its terms of service.
The fundraiser had been created for Don Johnson, a Dallas contractor who returns lost luggage to airline passengers, after doorbell camera footage of him hauling heavy suitcases up a steep flight of stairs gained widespread attention last week. Johnson, 81, has spent the last three years doing the physically demanding job to help cover cancer treatment costs for his wife Josephine, his partner of 57 years.
Erin Howell, the resident whose doorbell camera captured the footage, set up the GoFundMe page after learning Johnson’s age and circumstances. On the page, she described watching him struggle with her own lost luggage: “The other day, I looked out my door cam and saw an 81-year-old man slowly and painstakingly carrying my heavy luggage that had been lost on a recent flight up a steep flight of stairs. He looked absolutely exhausted, and his steps were heavy with effort.”
The campaign resonated deeply with online donors. More than 5,300 people contributed before the page was deactivated, with the total reaching over $281,000.
Prior to the shutdown, Johnson had expressed hope that the outpouring would allow him to finally stop working. “I think I’m going to be able to stop working, and that’s amazing,” he said in an interview with Fox 4. “So we’re not quite totally over the hump yet, but we’re getting there very quickly.”
Josephine Johnson also spoke about the emotional impact of the support. “I can face it. I think that’s the big difference,” she shared. “Some have made comments and they’re praying for us. And it’s just, it’s a joyful feeling.”
GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety team made the decision to remove the campaign after further review. In a statement to Fox 4, the platform explained: “Ensuring GoFundMe is a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority. After further review by our Trust & Safety team, the organizer account and fundraiser have been found to be in violation of our Terms of Service, and the fundraiser removed and refunded.”
The company emphasized that its policies, along with those of its payment processors, require authenticity and transparency for donors. “Taking action like this allows GoFundMe to protect donors’ generosity and our continued ability to support people who are fundraising to help others,” the statement continued. “GoFundMe’s policies, along with those of our payment processors, require authenticity and transparency for donors, and are strictly enforced. Because that standard wasn’t met here, all donors have been refunded under our GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, which guarantees a full refund in the rare case something isn’t right.”
The platform did not specify which particular policy the campaign violated.