London – We never really know the impact our actions can have on other people.
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Such was the case when a Vos Iz Neias story resulted in a London woman donating a kidney to a ten year old Israeli girl.
The story begins this past November when Vos Iz Neias carried a CBS news story about Richard Woontyler, a Brooklyn father of eight who was and still is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. While many who read the story may have been moved to comment or say Tehillim for Woontyler, Tzivia, a London mother of five decided to give the ultimate gift, by offering to donate her kidney.
Not only was the London woman unable to donate her kidney to Woontyler since United States insurance would not cover the costs of a kidney donation from a British donor, she was unable to donate a kidney to a specific recipient in England as British law only allows for directed donations between relatives. A suggestion to donate a kidney in Israel brought about the ultimate shidduch as Tzivia’s kidney was found to be a match for a ten year old Israeli girl.
“The seed of inspiration was sown nine years ago,” said Tzivia in an exclusive interview with VIN News. “My niece was born with various organ issues and I offered to donate to her. In the end it wasn’t necessary, but over the years I googled to be placed on some sort of kidney donation registry, but there is none in the UK. In November, VIN ran an article asking people to be tested to donate to a father of eight in the States. I clicked the link and said ‘I’m interested. Test me.’”
The transplant, which occurred on March 3rd, was successful with both the donor and recipient are doing well. Tzivia plans to return to London on Wednesday and resume her Pesach cleaning.
VIN News is grateful for the part it played in this mitzvah and shares much of the credit with Lauren Finkelstein of Save1Person.org, who was responsible for getting CBS News to carry the initial story about Woontyler.
“I got in touch with Ben Mevorach, news director at 1010 WINS,” said Finkelstein. “Being that it was close to Chanukah I said to him ‘let’s create a Chanukah miracle’, in the hopes that WINS would carry Richard’s story. He emailed me back saying ‘Miracle, on the way!’ and he sent a reporter to cover the story of Richard Woontyler.”
“In the blink of an eye, the miracle went from Brooklyn, to London to Israel. You just never know what can happen.”
what a wonderful story! there are so many people doing great things out there and we need to hear those stories to counteract all the negativity we hear and read.
Tzivia that was a beautiful thing to do – kol hakavod!
You a hero that the minimum i can say proud of you! may hashem repay you in all ways you wish
The amazing part of this woman is that she doesn’t even think she did something so special!!!
Tzivia hashem should fulfill all your needs and you should be healthy till 120 with happieness and joy
I’m so proud of you, My dear friend Tzivia, and of this courageous act of kindness you did What an inspiration you are to me!
There is a famous saying…
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm …
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others…”
You Tzivia have taken this a hundredfold further and discovered you had two kidneys… One for yourself, the other for helping others…
You are the most amazing person I know!
Kol Hakavod!!!
Tzivia and Lauren – both very special people! Wow, Tziva you saved a life!!!! Hoping many more reading this article will be inspired to do the same!
Thank you Sandy Eller for a great job you did on this story and thank you Vos Iz Neias for putting the CBS/1010WINS news story on your website that resulted in a life being saved!
May Hashem reward all of you with lots of Mazel, Brocha & Hatzlacha and good health always, to you and your families as well.
Tzivia is an amazing woman…she shuns the limelight but basks in the glow of the little girl whose life she saved. She and her family should merit great bracha as a result of this special zechus. I am privileged to count her as a wonderful friend.
what a beautiful story.
you are an inspiration.
may you have much mazel and good health in every way.
His father is Jewish – mother catholic: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Sean_Penn_Jewish
Kol Hakovod to Sean – what a wonderful person he is. Actors are grossly overpaid can get many millions just to do a movie – but will never complain about his being overpaid, deserves every penny.