Chaya Lipschutz
Click here for the speech I
gave at this event which tells
the story about my kidney
donation.


    Hi!  Thanks for stopping by!

    I am an Orthodox Jewish woman, from Brooklyn, NY  who donated a kidney altruistically. My goal is
    try to help as many people as possible, of all races and religions, who are in need of a kidney and to
    try to find kidney donors for as many people as possible.   I hope through this website I would be able
    to encourage more altruistic living kidney donation

    Why I decided to put together this website:

    Since I donated a kidney to a stranger in September 2005 after seeing an ad in a newspaper for
    someone in need of a kidney, I kept seeing more ads placed by others who were in desperate need
    of a kidney.  So I decided to start a project to help others in need of a kidney.  I first took out a booth
    at an Expo in New York City in December 2005 to promote kidney donation an educate the public.  
    Since then, from time to time I post on the internet and hang up fliers seeking kidney donors.  I have
    had many inquiries about kidney donation in the past and it was time consuming to keep sending
    requests for information.  So now, my life will be a little easier, just referring people to my website that
    will have all the info.  Also, people had wanted to know more about myself since many have seen my
    postings on the internet and fliers I put up in communities and some have wanted to make sure I am
    legit, which I am.  So having my own website, with all the information about myself and my project,
    does after all legitimize me!   

    Anyhow, since it would have been a big expense to hire someone to put this website together for me,
    I did this basically on my own and it was difficult and time consuming since I don't have any
    experience or training in web design.  When I was finnishing up this website before putting on the
    web, I had needed some help with it.  So I decided to post in one of the Yahoo Groups that I belong
    to, a request for help with my website.  Jonathan Kaplan of Croton Watch Company responded and
    helped me get this website up and running in such a short notice.  Jonathan didn't know me - I was a
    total stranger.  But he answered my plea for help and didn't ask for a penny.  My deep gratitude to this
    very special person!      
                  
                                                                      
    More about myself:

    I had donated a  kidney in September 2005 after seeing an ad in a weekly newspaper called The
    Jewish Press, placed by the person I ended up donating a kidney to.  The ad said "Please help save
    a Jewish life - New Jersey mother of 2 in dire need of kidney - Whoever saves one life from Israel it is
    as if they saved an entire nation."  

    The hardest part of my kidney donation was not the kidney donation itself.  That was easy for me.  
    The hardest part was keeping this back from my mother, not telling her that I was going to donate a
    kidney! And I live with her - so it was more difficult.  So I had to do this behind her back - and she
    didn't find out until after I donated a kidney!  Another kidney donor came to my mother's house to tell
    my mother first that she had donated a kidney and then said "by the way, your daughter is in the
    hospital and also donated a kidney!"  Thank G-d, my mother took it well, as expected.  For more on
    my story, click here,  for a speech I gave at a Kidney Disease and Organ Transplantation Forum, in
    which I tell my story.

    Anyhow, since my kidney donation, I still continued to see more ads for people in need of a kidney.  I
    felt like I didn't do enough and that I needed to do more to help the many others who are in desperate
    need of a kidney.  So I first took out a booth to promote kidney donation at the Jewish Market Place
    Expo which was a 3 day event held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City,  in
    December 2005.  

    Since my booth at the expo to promote kidney donation, articles about me have been written in
    Prevention Magazine ,New York Daily News, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Salt Lake Tribune, Brooklyn
    Borough President Marty Markowitz’s publication, Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s newsletter, and some
    weekly newspapers in New York, NJ, Minnesota and in Britain. Also, there was an article in The Salt
    Lake Tribune about someone who heard me on the radio, and that resulted in that person donating a
    kidney that started a 14 person exchange!  

    I was interviewed by a reporter with CNN. My website has also been mentioned on various other TV
    websites.

    I had spoken at 2 events as well – one was at a Halachic Organ Donation Seminar at a synagogue in
    New Jersey in July 2006 and the other was a Kidney Disease and Organ Transplantation Forum in
    November, 2006 that was attended by government officials. (On the left is a picture of me at the latter
    event and below that, is a link to a speech I gave at this event - which is also a story about my kidney
    donation.)

    I have been on the radio as well -  on  "This  American Life” on National Public Radio, twice and on
    NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s weekly radio show on WMCA AM, New York.

    I was also on 2 TV programs including  a ½ hour TV special ABC-TV on Organ Donation, called
    "Giving Life: The Story of Organ Donation."  (See home page for video of this show.)


     My brother donated a kidney as well – to someone on my list who was in need of a kidney.

    Besides the matches I already made and the others that will be happening soon, I have more kidney
    matches in the works.

    I don’t get paid for doing this and don't charge a fee.  Just like my kidney donation was altruistic, so is
    my kidney matchmaking.

    I post from time to time on the internet seeking kidney donors on Craigs List, Yahoo Groups and
    other venues.  I put up fliers as well.  One of the matches I made is a result of  the kidney donor
    seeing a flier I had at a fish store!   There was another match that I was involved with that was also th
    result of a flier I hung up.    

    Jordan Lite, former medical reporter for the New York Daily News, had interviewed me for an article
    she was writing and had given me the title of "Kidney Matchmaker."  After she gave me that title, I
    thought, hmmm, maybe that is what I am!  So every now and then, I use that title!  Thanks Jordan, for
    the crowning!

    I have accumulated a list of a lot of people in need of a kidney.  People from many cities in the USA
    and other parts of the world have contacted me asking me to find a kidney donor for them.

    My goal is to help save lives of others who are in desperate need of a kidney regardless of race or
    religion.  

    If you decide to donate a kidney to a stranger on your own - whether answering an ad in a newspaper
    or a posting on the internet, I strongly suggest that you question first the person in need of a kidney.  
    First find out if they have any siblings, children, etc.  If they do, find out if they have had any family
    members tested,   There are many people out there who don't have any family members to donate a
    kidney to them and have no choice but to seek out strangers.  These are the people that should be
    considered first for kidney donation.  When someone in need of a kidney calls me up and asks me to
    find a kidney donor for them, I first question them about having family members test for them.  This
    needs to be encouraged.  I have had to turn down people in need of a kidney who have had family
    members to donate a kidney to them, but did not want to take a kidney from a family member!  This is
    wrong, unless that family member has medical or psychological issues. I have a list of many people in
    need of a kidney and if someone sees a posting that I have and says they want to donate a kidney to
    someone, I would generally match that person up with someone who either doesn't have any family
    members their blood type,  or who have had family members tested but were ot a match or were
    ruled out for kidney donation because of their own medical issues.

    Whether you are interested in donating a kidney on your own or possibly through me and need more
    information. please feel free to contact me!   I would be happy to give you any information you need.  
    No obligation.  Also you can click on "Donate a Kidney" for more information, such as requirements
    and what's involved with the process including testing - and also click on "Websites-KidneyDonation"
    for stories about kidney donors, organizations that give you more information about kidney donation,
    and other interesting and informative websites.  Also, below is a listing of articles/shows pertaining to
    me and my kidney donation.

    Thanks so much for visiting my website!

    Best regards,

    Chaya

    P.S.  If you ever come across links that don't work or even typos, would appreciate if you can let me
    know.  Thanks so much!  (-:


                                                                                   
    Some of the articles that were written about myself,  articles about kidney matches that
    I made, or people who I have inspired to donate a kidney:

         Orthodox Union - December 22, 2011 - Website:  www.ou.org
          Community Voice - November 16, 2011 - Website: www.jewishvoicesnj.org
     met, so far through my website!)
    transplant surgeon, Montefiore Medical Center.  Originally this was an article that appeared in The  
    Jewish Press, February 8, 2006 - Website:   www.ourjerusalem.com
  • "KidneyMitzvah"  - Brooklyn NY Marty Markowitz's publication, "Brooklyn" -   Summer 2006.
  • "The Life Saver" - The Jewish Chronicle, Britain - May 25, 2007.      Website: www.hods.org.
  • "Kidney Donor Encourages Once in a Lifetime Mitzvah" -  American Jewish World -
    July 13, 2007  (This weekly newspaper, doesn't have a website.)
    Click on the following pdf file:  American Jewish World
    review of an event where I spoke as well as other kidney donors.  Others who have spoken
    at this event were,  Dr. Stuart Greenstein, a person in need of a kidney, and a person who had a
    kidney transplant.  Click on the following pdf file:  Review - Halachic Organ Donation Seminar



    My radio interviews:  

    Communications (This interview is not on their website - but I had taped it and added to this website.
    You can hear it on this website on the left hand of the page, above.)


      My TV Appearances:



    I was mentioned on the following TV Programs:

     article, no longer on their website - just link  is still listed to my website. ) Website:  www.krgv.com



    Kidney match that I made, mentioned on the following TV programs:




       I am mentioned in the following books:

  • "The Organ Donor Experience: Good Samaritans And The Meaning Of Altruism" - This book
    includes stories of 2 of my donors from 2 kidney matches I made,  This book also describes my
    website as "unique."
  • "Like Water On A Rock -   True Stories Of Spiritual Transformation" - This book includes story
    of one of my kidney matches, titled, "My Kidney Sister."


    My heartfelt thanks to:

  • NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind. Assemblyman Hikind was the first person I approached to for help
    for a booth I had wanted to have at an Expo to educate the public about kidney donation.  When I first
    came to his office to tell him about my plans for this booth and why I wanted to have it, he wasn't there
    but the receptionist told me that "Dov will be so happy to hear this."  I did receive a call from him and
    he was happy and got someone to do my fliers and displays for my booth for free!   He has since
    been very supportive.  Whenever I go to his office, he is always so sweet!  He has a big heart and
    does so much for the community, so many acts of great kindness.  There is a story that he had written
    about me in his newsletter.  Click here for this article: "The Gift of Life"
  • Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser.  Before I took out a booth at an Expo - I had mentioned to Rabbi
    Goldwasser what seemed at that time an impossible dream - to take out a booth at an expo, being
    that I had just decided less than a week before the Expo to take out a booth to promote kidney
    donation.  He was extremely supportive and very excited about my plan to have a booth and he
    endorsed my project to find kidney donors for others and gave me a blurb about kidney donation to
    put on my flier that I had needed  for the expo.  He wrote about me in his book "Tishrei."  Click here
    "Acknowledgements"  to view what he wrote.  Rabbi Goldwasser is involved in so many great
    causes. A very special Rabbi!
  • Brooklyn (NY) Borough President Marty Markowitz.  I met  Brooklyn Borough President Marty
    Markowitz at a political breakfast,.  He had said at the time that he would like to have a story written
    about me in his publication.  That story brought the attention of  Mary Robertson, a TV director who
    also had connections to NPR (National Public Radio) and resulted in my 2 radio interviews on "This
    American Life."   And as a result of my interview on that radio program, people have donated a
    kidney and more people will be donating a kidney as well!  And when I have sent E-mails to Marty, he
    e-mails me back, and so quickly!  He also sent me a nice handwritten note in the mail. Very down to
    earth, very sweet person!
  • The Jewish Press (weekly Jewish newspaper). In particular, I would like to thank Naomi Mauer and
    Cheryl Kupfer,who have taken the urgent need for kidney donors to heart and have published several
    articles on the subject of kidney donation in their newspaper.    Naomi is also been in the forefront of
    other major issues pertaining to those in need.
  • Dr. Stuart Greenstein, Professor of Surgery, Kidney Transplant Surgeon, Montefiore Medical Center,
    Bronx, NY. One of the nicest, caring doctors in the world.  Everyone who knows him would agree with me!  He
    is very humble and I am not sure he would want me to list here all the great things about him!  Anyhow - one
    thing I can say about him, is that this special doctor who goes to visit  his ex-patients, overseas, when he is on
    vacation!  Who knows any doctor in the world that would do this?  Awesome and extraordinary!
  • Pat McDonough, RN, Kidney Transplant Coordinator, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.   Always so
    helpful.  She took out the time to teach me so many important things pertaining to kidney donation over the
    years. She herself had also donated a kidney!  I don't know of any other kidney transplant coordinator who
    has done so!
  • Philiip Palmer, ABC-TV,News,  Los Angeles.. He is a TV Anchorman and kidney donor!   One of nicest and
    caring of people in the TV industry.  He is always eager to help! Very sweet person.
  • NY Assemblyman Richard Brodsky.  Assemblyman Brodsky had sent  me a letter regarding the
    work I am doing, despite having only little contact with him.  To read this letter, click here.

    Again, my heartfelt thanks to these great individuals!
Chaya Lipschutz
About Myself
Picture of me speaking at a Kidney
Disease and Organ Transplantation
Forum at a Public School, Brooklyn,
NY, November 30, 2006


My letters pubished in
Newspapers and magazines  
(you can just click below on each letter
and that will bring you to their
prospective websites):


"Man on a MIssion" - New York
Daily News - July 19, 2011

"Stamp of Approval"- New York
Daily News - October 26, 2010

"Salt In Our Wounds: Say
Goodbye To Freedom" - New
York Post - January 15, 2010

"A Mayor Who Cares"
New York Daily News - January
16, 2010

"An Incomperable Gift" -
Hamodia - August  26, 2009

"A Kidney Matchmaker" -
Yated Ne'eman - August 21, 2009

"The Kidney Matchmaker" -
Five Towns Jewish Times -
August 6, 2009

"Saving Lives" - The Jewish
Press - August 16, 2006

"In and Out"- New York Daily
News -  June 23, 2007

'It Takes One Kidney " - New
York Magazine -  August 30, 2007

"Spread Safety"  - New York
Daily News, November 30, 2008
SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com      KidneyMitzvah.com     KidneyMatchmaker.com     KidneyHero.com    KidneyShadchan.com
  
Ad in a newspaper placed by the
person I ended up donating a kidney to:

"The Great Idealist - Letter
written by someone else,
regarding myself - The Jewish
Press, February 22, 2006
Myself with NY Mayor Michael R.
Bloomberg ar his inauguration
ceremony, January 1, 2005.

(I was a volunteer on both his
re-election campaigns - in 2005 & 2009
My project to help those in need of a
kidney, is endorsed by Rabbi Dovid
Goldwasser, Brooklyn NY, a noted
Rabbi, author, lecturer and Torah
scholar.  He wrote his endorsement
of my project in his book, "Tishrei".
Sample of fliers I have made
up for people in need of a
kidney.  Click below on each
link:

Flier I had made up for my
booth at the  Expo (2 sided
flier)

Sample flier I have made up
for a  person in need of a
kidney
"Donating a kidney was the greatest experience of my life, if I can do it again, I would do it again tomorrow"
                                                                                                                   - Chaya
Left to right:  NY Assemblyman Dov
Hikind and I.   Assemblyman Hikind
has been very supportive of my work
promoting kidney donation

Photo taken at a politiclal breakfast
in my community in April 2006
Speaking at a Pre-Med Club at
Ramaz Upper School, New York City,
April 29, 2010.  
Article that was written about me in
    PREVENTION MAGAZINE
         Click below for the article:
Right to left: NY Public Advocate Betsy
Gotbaum and I.  We were both speakers
at a Kidney Disease & Organ
Transplantation Forum.

Photo taken was taken  at the event
where we spoke,  Event was held at a
public school, in Brooklyn, NY,
November 30, 2006  and was attended by
govt. officials.
Picture of me at a  booth I had at the
Jewish Marketplace Expo which
was held at the Javits Center, NYC,
December 17-19, 2005
Sample of envelope used in
general  mailings to promote
kidney donation  (I have used
similar ones to put in info on kidney
donation and had handed out at
events.)
"Keep up the good work. It's
important." - NY Assemblyman
Richard Brodsky - in a letter he wrote to
me.  To read this letter, click here
"You have proved to me, where there
is a will, there is a way. Keep up the
good work and never cease trying."  -
Mrs. Geldzahler, my 8th grade secular
studies teacher, Beth Jacob Elementary
School, Brooklyn, NY.  Wrote this to me in
my autograph book.
"Someone like Chaya is very special.
There's is no one else helping find
matches, or if they are, they're a broker
and asking for money.  She just wants to
help people."  Quote by Vanessa Evans
who is in need of a kidney, in her interview
with the weekly newspaper,  The Jewish
Advocate (Boston) -  May 1, 2009. For the
article(in pdf format), click on: "Bostonians
Helped By Kidney Matchmaker"
"I know Chaya, she is absolutely
remarkable" - NY Assemblyman
Dov Hikind's comment about me on
his radio program, July 25, 2009.  
(You can hear my call in to his radio
program and his remarks on the
above taping.)
Above is a taping of my call-in on
the Michael Savage radio program,
regarding my kidney donation
project, July 23, 2009  
Picture of me with Lori Palatnik, kidney
donor.  I had made her kidney match.  

Photo taken in August 2009 after Lori's
speaking engagement in Lawrence, NY.
also... proclaimed
"Hometown Hero"
by NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind  
To see official announcement, click here.
(note:  date of event was postponed)
To view my You Tube video on
Kidney Donation,  Click here
An award I received from Kings County
(NY) District Attorney Charles Hynes, at
an Extraordinary Women of Brooklyn
event  at Brooklyn Borough Hall, March
23, 2010
For a speech that I made at this
school's Pre-Med club,  click here
"You remain a beacon of light in a dark world, and
you're setting a standard for people everywhere."
- NY Assemblyman Richard Brodsky
in a letter written to me.  To read the letter, click here
(Assemblyman Brodsky's personal info was removed from this letter  
before I scanned this letter and put it here on my website
"I am always impressed with all the good you do
for so many people"
- Linda Small,  former Executive Director
National Kidney Foundation of Southern California
and Executive Director of the Ann & George Lopez Foundation

"I thought I would never find a donor,
but when I heard from you it gave me a
lot of hope. I felt you were very
genuine and sincere. I know in the end
my boyfriend donated his kidney, but I
felt like you as a stranger at that time
was fighting for me made me realize
that I had to fight also for another
chance in life" - Noy Louang, North
Carlinoa, wrote this to me on Facebook
Photo of me with one of my kidney
matches!  On the left is Tom O'Driscoll of
Texas, who decided to donate a kidney
after hearing me on "This American Life" on
NPR.  In the center, is Carolyn of California,
the woman he donated a kidney to.  We all
got together when my kidney match came
into New York in April 2011.  Photo taken at
Coney Island. Brooklyn, NY
"The doctors would not be able to do this great work without help from people like you.
So thank you for your support and outreach."
- Comment I received from NY-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Comment  was left by the hospital on the hospital's  website for their video on kidney donation.  For this video,  click here
To view my TV Interview, titled,
"Kidney Matchmaker", Click Here
My TV Interview, "Kidney
Matchmker" - News12. For the
video of this interview, click here.