A Second Chance for Shirel

Shirel, a nine-year-old girl from Be'er Sheva, was born with a severely undeveloped kidney. This condition ran in her family. Years earlier, Shirel’s uncle underwent a kidney transplantation at Schneider Children's Medical Hospital. Israel's only stand-alone pediatric hospital, Schneider’s provides life-saving care to children from every community. Regardless of religion, color or ethnicity. 

Shirel’s parents knew that eventually their daughter would need a new kidney.

That pivotal day came this year. Shirel reached end-stage renal failure. She needed a transplant immediately.

Without a kidney transplant, Shirel would have to undergo dialysis. This meant spending hours in a hospital chair, multiple times a week, hooked up to a dialysis machine. 

The search for a donor began. Shirel’s mother was not a match. No one in her immediate family was a match. 

Time was running out.

Then Shuli stepped forward.

Shuli, a 50-year-old musician and bridal counselor from central Israel, had lived with kidney disease her entire life—just not her own. As a child, Shuli’s accompanied her grandmother to dialysis treatments, witnessing the toll it took on her life. Twenty-five years ago, when her aunt needed a transplant, Shuli wanted to donate, but she wasn't a match. The desire to donate a kidney never left her.

Two years ago, inspired by a friend’s husband who donated a kidney, Shuli sign up with Matnat Chaim (Gift of Life), Israel's organ donation organization. Her first scheduled donation was canceled at the last minute. Then she heard about Shirel.

"I was told about a young girl who was about to start dialysis because no donor had been found," said Shuli. "The joy of being able to give life, especially to a child, is indescribable. I feel as though I am the one who received the gift."

The transplant was performed at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. The surgery went well and Shirel's new kidney began functioning right away.

According to Dr. Hadas Alfandary, a senior nephrologist at Schneider Children's, Shirel's recovery has been excellent and without complications. 

Shirel's mother, Elinor, is “forever grateful.” 

 "The incredible donor gave us an extraordinary and selfless gift,” said Elinor. “I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the wonderful team at Schneider Children's, who cared for Shirel with exceptional professionalism and dedication."

At Schneider Children's, pediatric kidney transplantation requires specialized care that continues long after surgery. The goal isn't just survival—it's to give children back their childhood. 

Children just like Shirel.