Brooklyn, NY – According to the National Kidney Foundation, some 26 million Americans suffer from kidney disease, and one out of every three Americans is at risk for kidney disease because of high blood pressure, diabetes and family history. It is a statistic that has the Brooklyn-based Orthodox Jewish organization Renewal constantly on the lookout for eligible kidney donors for patients in desperate need of a transplant.
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“Kidney failure is like a slow, long death,” Renewal’s program director, Rabbi Menachem Friedman told the Asbury Park Press (http://on.app.com/XmucoS). “We are not looking to push people to donate. We are looking to educate and inspire.” Friedman said he attributes part of his organization’s success to people’s willingness to talk openly about their illness. “People need to relate to someone that they trust,” he added.
At a recent event hosted by The Lakewood Township Committee, Renewal, which has a satellite location in Lakewood, New Jersey, was honored for its efforts, along with 16 kidney donors. In the past six years, Renewal has matched over 190 kidney donors with recipients, primarily within the Orthodox community.
Among the donors was 44-year-old Sharon Langert, wife of Lakewood Township Committeeman Steven Langert. Of her donor experience, Mrs. Langert said, “I really felt I was meant to do it. The night before, my husband said I could change my mind. And I knew that I couldn’t, because this kidney was no longer mine. I was meant to nurture it in my body to help someone else.”
Mrs. Langert was back to her normal activities just two weeks after surgery.
Those who do not find a suitable donor wind up on dialysis, sometimes for years. Steven Rubin, 68, of Ocean Township is still holding out hope that a proper match will be found for him, putting an end to his 10-hour daily dialysis treatment. He is currently working with Renewal to find a donor. “I am amazed by the number of people who are in the position I am in,” he said.
Online: http://www.life-renewal.org/
Finally a “Kiddush Hashem” out of the Orthodox community!!!
No articles about brothers fighting in court…or people being burnt for davening in other shuls…JUST SIMPLE “AM KADDOSH”.
This is what the real Jewish People are made of!
As a recipient of two organs, I know what this means. I wish the Orthodox community would wake up and start considering donating.
Israel is known to be the worst country in the world for receiving organs and not giving.
I hope this organization goes out of business real soon when we find a cure for these diseases.