As Rebbetzin Heber said, “Donating doesn’t have to mean giving a kidney. It can mean lending an ear, perhaps—just listening to somebody.”
Donating comes in many forms. I was used to raising money by taking part in swims, runs and a parachute jump. I had even donated my hair three times.
Here was an opportunity to donate without asking for help. Of course, I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family, close friends and the incredible transplant team at Beilinson Hospital. But this was a selfless act, and I wanted nothing in return.
My process started. The tests were extensive and thorough. This was probably the best medical evaluation I would ever have in my life: CT scans, X-rays of the heart and lungs, a mammogram, an ECG, repeated blood and urine tests, and two psychological evaluations.
The whole process, from start to finish, took me six months.
As an altruistic donor, I met my recipient just a couple of hours before the operation. Suddenly, my recipient had a name. Giving a kidney to a stranger turned into saving the life of an incredibly strong, determined woman.
After surgery, as I looked at my scars, I realised that these new scars, alongside those from my four previous C-sections, were a reminder of the five lives I was responsible for: my four children and now my recipient. I subsequently came up with “5 lines, 5 lives.”
The first couple of weeks of recovery were tough. However, within a month, I was back to exercising and working.
I have healed completely now. Everyone has a purpose; perhaps this was mine. I am one of the fortunate ones who had the privilege of being able to give life.
There were a few emotional moments that stand out: meeting my recipient for the first time, meeting again after surgery, and introducing my mother to her. My mother referred to her as “her daughter,” because part of her daughter—me—was now part of her, too.
Another ripple effect.
