After Their Father Died In Need Of Kidney Transplant Two Sisters Donate Their Kidneys To Strangers

Jun 26, 2020

In 2018, Marl Goralski succumbed to Crohn's disease at the age of 57. A kidney transplant was the only thing that could have saved his life. However, his doctors prohibited the transplant since he was not healthy enough to undergo surgery. After his death, his children Hannah and Bethany, donated their kidneys to total strangers in 2019.

This was to help other families avoid the experience they went through after losing their dad. Last year, September 23, to commemorate her father's death anniversary, Hannah posted a picture of her and her father at Wrigley Field.

Before his death, Mark had gone through another kidney transplant in 2011, meaning he had fought this disease for the longest time. However, his daughter Bethany was still prepared to donate her kidney, but the doctors refused to operate on his father.

The campaign kicked off with Hannah donating her kidney to a stranger in March, coincidentally on World Kidney Day. Twenty-four hours later, her sister followed her footsteps and donated to a stranger as well, according to The Chicago Tribune. 

As Hannah told GMA, she called Illinois hospital to book for a surgery a month after her father's death. She felt sorry for all the affected people who needed a kidney transplant and were unable to get one. Furthermore, it was the best way to honor her dad since he was a man of the people.

Talking to GMA, Bethany claimed that she felt relieved and happy knowing that she saved a life. Furthermore, she always felt like she was selfish by keeping a kidney while another patient needed a kidney. After her surgery, she only took about ten days to recover since she was young and healthy. On March 19, Bethany posted photos of her and her sister showcasing their wounds left after the kidney surgery.

The two ladies claim that their late dad would be proud of their braveness to help other kidney patients. Their bravery actions paved the way for others who wanted to donate their kidneys to loved ones but found no match. Inspired by the Illinois sisters, these people gave their organs to other strangers suffering from kidney failure.

Thanks to their braveness and courage, five people have benefited from the noble action of the two sisters. In a meeting scheduled in July last year, the donors and recipients got a chance to interact with each other at an event held at the Northwestern Memorial. Julia Bauchwitz, one of the recipients, marked the experience as an unbelievable miracle since she never expected a stranger to donate a kidney for her, as she told The Chicago Tribune. 

Currently, the two sisters are encouraging young people to become organ donors like them. Talking to GMA, Bethany acknowledged that there are definite risks that can occur during and after the surgery. However, she claimed that with the right research and medical personnel, you could protect someone from dying while maintaining your safety.

Why wait when you can help someone who is dying now. There is no need for someone to die when you can save their lives. According to Dr. John Friedewald, the Northwestern Medical director of Kidney transplantation, he claimed that the chains created by the girls are still undergoing, because of their initial act. Furthermore, the number of people who get a kidney transplant increases daily because of the initial gift set by the Illinois sister.

What do you think of Hannah and Bethany's inspiring decision to donate their kidneys? Do you have a similar story? Let us know and pass this moving story on to others to raise awareness surrounding organ donation.