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Matnat Chaim has caused a
sea change in the way Israelis
see organ transplants, with truly
revolutionary results. Along with
saving lives, kidney donations create
without a transplant. Sometimes I feel like crying when I new families, break down stereotypes
think of the plight of the friends I left behind in the dialysis between groups, and contribute to solidarity
clinic. My dream is that we will find sufficient numbers of within Israeli society. By eliminating costly dialysis
donors and that there will be no more treatments, Matnat Chaim has saved hundreds of millions
dialysis patients in Israel waiting for a of dollars for the Israeli public health
transplant – and I’m certain that we can Top Ten Facts about system.
achieve it! Kidney Donation in Israel Matnat Chaim operates on a very
“We are dealing with human life. There modest budget with a small staff of
are so many people who could donate 1. Over 700 volunteer kidney donors dedicated workers and volunteers.
but are simply unaware of the possibility have met their match through Matnat With your help, Matnat Chaim can
or lack awareness concerning the vital Chaim turn Israel into the first western
importance of the procedure. I’m sure 2. 95% of Matnat Chaim donors are country without a waiting list for
that within a few years, with G-d’s help, religious, Torah observant Jews kidney donation – a true light unto the
there will be far fewer people on the 3. In 2018, 58% of living kidney donors in nations!
waiting list and that we’ll win this battle. Israel were referred by Matnat Chaim This Yom Kippur as we are praying
The rate of altruistic donation in Israel 4. More than 800 people are still on the for our lives in the coming year, take
is the highest in the world. But the most transplant list, suffering on dialysis a moment to remember the many
meaningful outcome is in the home of 5. The average wait for a kidney from a potential recipients, some of whom
each recipient with the return to the deceased donor is 7 years are married with families, parents with
family of a healthy father, mother or small children to care for, others with
child.” 6. 1 in 7 patients on dialysis dies each a long history of suffering who are
year
Rabbi Heber notes that nearly all of 7. Over 95% of living donor transplants all waiting for their turn to receive a
today’s leading halachic authorities are successful kidney donation.
whole-heartedly support kidney 8. A kidney from a live donor will on
donation by a living donor. The average last 20 years
prohibition of organ donation by some 9. Transplants facilitated by Matnat
rabbis concerns the harvesting of organs Chaim have saved over 2 billion To learn more about Matnat Chaim
from deceased donors, an issue that shekels for the Israeli public health and help eliminate the waiting list:
Matnat Chaim does not deal with at all. system Visit the website: www.kilya.org.il/en/
Jewish law regarding living donation is 10. Matnat Chaim's kidney transplants Email: judy@kilya.org.il
fully in line with current medical opinion are performed in 5 different Israeli Call: 1-888-970-4608 (USA),
that living kidney donation is permitted; hospitals 08000-488276 (UK),
indeed it is a tremendous mitzvah. 054-3213911 (Israel)

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