Yitzchak has donated three times. As a repeat Matnas Chaim donor, answering the call for any possible opportunity to save the life of a fellow Jew. He believes life is a gift, and is intent on sharing it.

MC: Where and when did you join the donor registry?

YK: I joined the registry back in February 2007. It was at a drive in Lakewood, New Jersey. Chai Lifeline and Hatzolah hosted a drive at Lakewood Yeshiva.

MC: When did you find out you were a match?

YK: Well, the first one took just over two years. I donated my stem cells, which involved a simple procedure similar to donating blood. But with a stem cells donation, I actually got my blood back after it ran through a machine that removed the lifesaving cells that they needed. It reminded me of the candle analogy, where one candles can ignite thousands of other candles without its own flame diminishing at all.

MC: You say the first time. Does that mean you have had multiple matches?

YK: Yes, a total of three, actually. After donating PBSC in March of 2009, I was called back to provide a donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) in June. I then did another DLI in May of 2010.

MC: What inspired you to keep coming back?

YK: It is such a simple way to make such a huge difference. Nothing compares to the incredible feeling of giving someone a chance to live. The donation procedure is nothing serious; it doesn’t harm me in any way, and it truly saves saving another person’s life.

MC: What would you tell your friends and neighbors about Matnas Chaim?

YK: Matnas Chaim does amazing work and is really making a difference in this world. I encourage everyone to at least take a few minutes to submit a swab and join the registry. You don’t have to commit to anything up front, and you may get lucky and get an opportunity to be a real hero.