SAN DIEGO, CA — A woman who lives in San Diego County won money on the television game show, “Let’s Make a Deal,” but she didn’t go on the show for a prize.
The show is known for its audience members who dress in costumes to get host Wayne Brady’s attention, in hopes of getting a chance to compete. Eryn Roberts, 34, of La Mesa wore a costume that not only got Brady’s attention, but got to spread awareness about a cause that’s close to her heart.
Roberts donated her kidney to a stranger on July 11, 2017, via direct donation in North Carolina.
She called her costume a “transplant trekker.” The cardboard cutout looked like a T-shirt from the nonprofit Transplant Trekkers and had information about living organ donation. The organization hosts virtual treks in an effort to raise awareness about organ donation.
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“Not everyone can do that, and the fact that you’re raising awareness, thank you so much,” Brady told her on the show.
“I’m really excited to bring awareness and save some lives,” Roberts said in response.
Roberts, who has lived in the San Diego area for four years but originally hails from Wilmington, North Carolina, had to choose a number between zero and nine. She chose the number seven because it is her and her recipient’s “lucky number.” He turned 70 the day they did their transplant.
Brady had a $100 bill. For every seven in the bill’s eight-digit serial number, she won $2,000. There was one seven and she took home $2,000. Instead of playing the game, she could have chosen a hidden item in a box, which was revealed to be a digital camera and a paragliding adventure. The prizes had a combined value of $5,397.
“I chose the envelope I did because it was my recipient’s lucky number, but I should have gambled and chose the other because he loved to gamble,” she said. “He is always reminding me to chance the odds and bet on myself. I am still in shock that I won — much less that I was there — it was such a fun experience, especially being around the joy of the other winners. It was contagious and the joy of seeing everyone win really made the experience even more memorable.”
Roberts, who works as a project manager for a tech startup, said she is a competitive person who loves game shows. That’s why her mom, an avid watcher of “Let’s Make a Deal,” suggested she apply for the show.
She filled out an online application and had a Zoom interview before being invited to the taping. She hopes her story inspires others to consider living donations.
“I am a living example of the wonderful life you can live after donation and how simple it is to give someone else the gift of life,” Roberts said.
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