Renewal’s founder and chairman Mendy Reiner is the first to admit that when he arranged his initial kidney transplant in 2006, his fondest hope was to double that number the following year.  The idea that perhaps one day he might be able to facilitate 20 transplants in a single year seemed like wishful thinking.  Did he ever imagine that there might come a day when 100 transplants in a just one calendar year was a realistic goal?

Definitely not, admitted Reiner, although having already surpassed his own expectations several times over, he now believes that hitting the triple digits is an attainable goal for 2018 which is already turning out to be a year for the record books.

This past July, in addition to clearing the 500 mark, Renewal facilitated six kidney transplants over a four day period.  Three took place in a single day, with a mother of three giving a kidney to a father of two who had been on dialysis for more than four years, another mother of three serving as the donor for a grandfather of twelve, and a young father giving a kidney to his own brother.  All told, it was a week that spanned thousands of miles, with transplants involving four different hospitals and individuals hailing from New York, New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, Toronto and Uzbekistan.  Also making history in this summer was Renewal’s eleventh set of spouses who both became kidney donors.

Marian Charlton, chief transplant coordinator and clinical manager of Weill Cornell Medical Center’s kidney and pancreas transplant program, noted that Renewal and its selfless donors give a new lease on life to those whose kidneys are failing.

“The impact that the non-directed donors from Renewal and Renewal itself has on the lives of our patients suffering from kidney disease is humbling,” said Charlton. “It is a pleasure to work with people who have a true sense of altruism.”

Equally inspiring is the way that Renewal represents a microcosm of the Jewish community, with recipients and donors hailing from all corners of the globe, bridging miles and often cultures, while joining together in a shared mission of unity.

“In yiddishkeit we strive for achdus and ahavas yisrael and we have been fortunate enough to see this goal play out 500 times,” explained Renewal’s director of outreach, Rabbi Josh Sturm.  “When a yid gives a kidney to another yid, it is as if he or she is giving it to a family member, which is exactly what they are doing. It makes no difference if one is Sefardi and one Ashkenazi, if one is Chasidish or one is Litvish, we are all one people.”

While all of Klal Yisroel joins Renewal in celebrating its 500^th transplant, the focus remains on looking ahead and shattering new records.  Still, Rabbi Sturm admits that his fondest hope for Renewal lies in a completely different direction.

“Our dream is that Hashem should heal all the sick and there should be no need for Renewal,” said Rabbi Sturm.  “But until that day comes, we will be here, continuing to do everything we can for those who need us.”

For more information on Renewal call 718-431-9831 or visit them online at www.renewal.org