Israeli Nurse Loses 35 Kilos to Donate Kidney to Stranger After Long Wait

Hodaya Babad, a 44-year-old nurse and mother of six from Ashkelon, lost 35 kilograms over a year and a half to meet medical criteria for donating a kidney to a stranger. The recipient, 54-year-old Merav Aryeh, had been on dialysis for three years due to a hereditary kidney disease. Hodaya’s husband, Uziya, and her brother-in-law, Staff Sergeant Edashel Babad, had previously donated organs, with Edashel’s organs donated posthumously after he was fatally wounded in Gaza.

Hodaya’s weight loss journey involved adopting a healthier diet and practicing Pilates twice a week, motivated by her desire to save a life rather than appearance. She emphasized that as a nurse, she was aware of the risks and strict medical requirements, including achieving a normal BMI before starting the compatibility process. Only after reaching her target weight did she proceed with the donation through the "Gift of Life" organization.

Dr. Vladimir Tank, deputy director of the transplant department at Beilinson Hospital, highlighted Hodaya’s story as a powerful example of the lengths people go to save others. He noted that over half of Israel’s kidney transplants occur at Beilinson, where many donors demonstrate immense generosity. Hodaya’s family has a strong tradition of organ donation, contributing to multiple lives saved.

Merav Aryeh, the recipient, had endured years of dialysis, following a similar path as her mother, who required dialysis for 17 years. Thanks to Hodaya’s donation, Merav now has a chance for a new chapter in her life. The article underscores the importance of weight management in living kidney donation, as excess weight increases surgical risks and long-term complications, making weight loss a prerequisite for many donors.

The transplant took place recently, marking the culmination of Hodaya’s dedicated effort and offering renewed hope to Merav after a prolonged wait for treatment.