Page 42 - HaMizrachi #14 2019 Chayei Sarah USA

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

42 |