Ashkelon Nurse Loses 35 Kilos to Donate Kidney to Stranger After Years of Preparation

Hodaya Baaved, a 44-year-old nurse and mother of six from Ashkelon, lost 35 kilograms over a year and a half to qualify for kidney donation to a stranger. She changed her lifestyle, adopting a healthy diet and Pilates twice a week, to meet the strict medical criteria, including achieving a normal BMI, required for living kidney donors. Baaved’s motivation was deeply personal, inspired by her family’s history of organ donation: her husband Oziah donated a kidney nearly ten years ago, and her brother-in-law, Lt. Colonel Eshaal Baaved, who died from wounds sustained in Gaza, had his organs donated as well.

This month, Hodaya successfully donated her kidney to Merav Aryeh, a 54-year-old woman who had been on dialysis for three years due to a hereditary kidney disease. Merav’s mother also endured 17 years of dialysis before her passing. The transplant took place at Beilinson Hospital, where Dr. Vladimir Tank, deputy director of the transplant department, emphasized the dedication of donors like Hodaya and the life-changing impact of their generosity. He noted that over half of Israel’s kidney transplants occur at Beilinson.

The process of losing weight and preparing for donation was challenging but fueled by Hodaya’s determination to save a life rather than personal appearance. Her son’s upcoming wedding also provided additional motivation. Only after reaching her target weight did she begin the medical compatibility tests through the "Gift of Life" organization, culminating in the successful transplant.

Doctors explain that significant overweight increases surgical risks and long-term complications for donors, making weight loss a common prerequisite. Hodaya’s story highlights the lengths to which living donors go to help others, often strangers, and the profound impact such donations have on recipients’ lives.

Summary: Hodaya Baaved, a nurse from Ashkelon, lost 35 kilograms over 18 months to meet medical criteria and donate a kidney to Merav Aryeh, who had been on dialysis for three years. Inspired by her family’s history of organ donation, Hodaya’s dedication culminated in a successful transplant at Beilinson Hospital, offering Merav a new lease on life.

Points: - Hodaya Baaved lost 35 kg over 18 months to qualify for kidney donation to a stranger. - Her husband and brother-in-law previously donated organs, inspiring her commitment. - The kidney was transplanted to Merav Aryeh, who had been on dialysis for three years. - Weight loss was necessary to reduce surgical risks and meet medical criteria. - The transplant took place at Beilinson Hospital, where over half of Israel’s kidney transplants occur. - Dr. Vladimir Tank praised Hodaya’s dedication and the life-saving impact of living donors.

Topic: health

Entities: {"people":["Hodaya Baaved","Oziah Baaved","Eshaal Baaved","Merav Aryeh","Dr. Vladimir Tank"],"organizations":["Beilinson Hospital","Gift of Life"],"places":["Ashkelon","Gaza","Israel"]}