Please read this important message from Rabbi Avraham Pollak, a maggid shiur at Khal Yereim in Passaic, NJ.
Read more about kidney donation and halacha in this Jewish Action article.
I find myself, at the present time, in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, on Shushan Purim I entered the hospital with COVID-19. I was hospitalized for 8 days and seemingly had a mild case of the virus with no effect on my lungs, Baruch Hashem.
In early June, follow up lab work showed that I was in serious kidney failure and I needed to be put on dialysis. It seems that the COVID-19 – although a minor case – destroyed my kidneys.
It was hoped that this would be a temporary situation, as other cases have shown that to be possible, but I seem to be in permanent kidney failure. My medical professionals strongly encourage me to seek a kidney transplant.
I have started the process by registering with a transplant center, and will be meeting with the various professionals over the next few weeks. There is a wonderful organization, based in Boro Park, which serves our community. I am sure many of you are familiar with Renewal. They arrange for donors from the general community, other than family members, who may want to donate a kidney for a patient in need.
I ask of you to please consider the possibility of donating a kidney and being tested for me, and to contact Renewal for any and all questions about the procedure or concerns you may have about your acceptability as a donor.
They can be reached at 718.431.9831. Please tell them you are calling for me.
May you be blessed with all the Berachos for Health, Nachas, and Parnossah beshefah
Avraham Pollak
973.220.7332
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.