A giving spirit: Kidney donor says saving life saves a world

[Clark]

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_19451642

A giving spirit: Kidney donor says saving life saves a world
By María Cortés González

Many people might consider donating a kidney to a loved one who needed it.
But how many people would consider doing the same for a perfect stranger?
Four years ago, Lori Palatnik asked herself that same question and found the answer to be quite simple. It was a resounding "yes."
Since then, Palatnik has found herself speaking around the country not only about why she made that sacrifice but also about how it has changed her life for the better. A woman of Jewish faith, Palatnik feels that the act made her closer to God.
"There is so much more pleasure in the act of giving than taking," she said. "In Judaism, it says in the Talmud, 'You save one life, you save the world.' "
She added, "A person is a whole world. When you help somebody, it can change their life, their decisions and affect generations down."
Lauren Davis, president of Jewish Education El Paso, is excited about bringing Palatnik, who lives in Washington, D.C., to El Paso today and Saturday.
"Our mission is to offer inspirational, dynamic Jewish educational experiences to El Paso É and Lori really epitomizes that. She is just so inspiring in terms of donating a kidney. It's such an amazing, wonderful thing to do."
Palatnik shares how she made the decision to donate in December 2008. Palatnik and her husband, Yaakov, a rabbi, and their five children were living in Denver. Her husband brought a friend home for dinner and later asked her whether she had noticed he wore a beeper.

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