Having faith does exist. The essence of life, and what it means to feel alive was resurrected for a special family earlier this month.

The life of a 13-year-old boy from Gaza was compromised when told his kidney was failing him. Between hospitals and several medical operations, the functionality of his kidney was estimated to have been less than 20%.

The process of initiating a kidney donation was exhausting for the mother and her six children; desperately hoping to find one compatible with her young son. Requesting a few of her children who lived elsewhere to head to Rambam hospital in Israel to search for a match, she was often told that the tested kidneys were unsuitable for the donation.

The miracle finally happened. One of the brothers of the little boy—a University student in Algeria—reached Israel grounds through Jordan and was the winning candidate. Prior to his arrival, the process was difficult shipping him from a country that fails to have diplomatic relations with Israel, Haifa. Health coordinator Yazid Falah, sent a letter to the academic institution, exposing his reasons of travel from Algeria, and giving comfort that the University student is committed to returning and pursuing his schooling there in the upcoming year.

Upon his arrival in August, the family reunited. It was bitter-sweet. The circumstances were unfortunate, but they had gone a long period of time not seeing one another.

Professor Mishna Daniella Magen performed testing at the Nephrology Institute and that is when his journey of recovery officially began. Post-dialysis treatments, beginning November the two siblings entered the surgery. Contributing to the successful recovery, the family gave thanks to Prof. Aaron Hoffman, Prof. Ahmad Asaliya, Dr Ran Steinberg, Dr Israel Eisenstein, Dr Shirly Polak, as well as the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department, and Nephrology.

Due to the need for medical surveillance twice a week after the surgery, his family must remain in Israel for the time being. The future looks promising though, with his and his mother’s return to the Gaza Strip.

Approximately one-third of pediatric kidney transplants taken place at Rambam since 2014 targeted children from Palestine and Jordan. Rambam hospital has saved many lives.

It’s when things seem worst that we must not quit.

By: Vera El-Timany