Matchmaker, Matchmaker … an Update

Matchmaker, Matchmaker … an Update

By Judy Malkin

From Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times …”

I am sure many people can tell you what day was the best day ever. I can’t do that – these days, every day is the best. But I can tell you the worst day of my life – it was January 11, 2021. That’s the day that the UHN Donor Transplant Team called me to tell me that I was not a viable kidney donor for my husband, Elliott Jacobson. I was crushed.

A few days later, we spoke with Rabbi Splansky, helped write an article for the Bulletin entitled “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Find us a Match,” and let people know how to get in touch with the UHN donor team if they considered becoming a living kidney donor for Elliott.

Long story short, we were blessed to have, ultimately, two willing and able donors, and Elliott’s surgery took place on February 10, 2023. And he’s doing wonderfully well (as is his donor).

We also learned about Renewal, a charitable organization which encourages altruistic kidney donation within the Jewish community. They were extremely helpful to us and, had we not been able to find a donor, would have assisted us in finding one. We remain forever grateful to them.

Renewal Canada is hosting an event at Holy Blossom Temple on Wednesday evening, April 29. Please join us and learn more about Renewal, and hear both Elliott’s story and that of our wonderful donor.