Noam Baruch

On March 7, 2017 I underwent surgery to donate a kidney. So far, the only people I have shared this with are my close family and my Rabbi. The decision to donate my Kidney has been something I considered for many year.  The inspiration to donate comes from several very compelling events in my life. First, I am doing this in honor and memory of my dear father alav hashalom Benyamin (Beno) Baruch ben Aharon and Vika. My father passed away 17 years ago and although I miss him dearly - I was blessed and fortunate to have him for 30 years of my life. I have fond memories of my father and his love of caregiving and commitment to giving back. He was a very humble, generous and honest man and very  dedicated to the cause of Kidney disease.  My father was a registered nurse who worked across all theaters: as a young soldier and medic in the battle fields at the the Sinai war, to Rambam Hospital, Carmel and Tel Hashomer in Israel (30 year), and as an immigrant in the US at Brookdale Hospital (NY), and then later in Montreal Canada at Jewish Hospital. but the highlight of his nursing career was his specialty as a dialysis nurse in various outpatient clinics where my father cared for and treated patients suffering from Kidney failure. I learned so much from my father and from observing him taking care of his patients. It is for this reason mainly that I have decided to donate my own kidney. There are nearly 100,000 patients each year on a waiting list for kidney transplant and roughly 14,000 dies each years while waiting. As an observing Jew, giving a kidney to is special mitzvah of pikuach nefesh (saving a life). For months I have only shared this with my wife and close family and had no plans to share this in a public forum. I still plan to keep this as a personal and private matter - but as I get closer to the surgery, I reflect on what this can mean to my extended family and close friends and how this could possibly influence others to consider joining this special cause. I am not suggesting anyone donate their kidney unless it is something they are truly prepared for - but there are many other ways to give back and I hope my personal story will inspire others to do whatever they feel is right.