Dying uncle lives on after ni(e)ce gesture
abu dhabi — A young Filipina gave up a part of herself so her uncle could live. The 24-year-old donated her kidney to him on Monday, making her one of the youngest kidney donors in the UAE.
“He is not just my uncle, he is also like a father and a best friend to me. We all lived in one house together, and each time I saw him suffering, my heart just broke,” said Arlene Maskarino, a customer service representative in Abu Dhabi. “When the doctors told us that my uncle needed a blood type O donor, I immediately knew I had to do it.”
Arlene’s uncle Lito Gerodias said he will forever be grateful for his niece’s gesture. “When a doctor asked Arlene why she wanted to give her kidney, she simply said: ‘There is no reason: this is my uncle and I love him, so I’m giving him a part of me’.”
abu dhabi — A 24-year-old Philipin a has given her uncle a new lease in life with a selfless act. She donated her kidney to him on Monday, making her one of the youngest kidney donors in the UAE. Arlene Maskarino told Khaleej
Times that she did not think twice about it, after hearing she was eligible for kidney donation. “He is not just my uncle: he is also like a father to me and a best friend. We all lived in one house together and each time I saw him suffering, my heart just broke,” said Arlene, who works as a customer service representative here.
The young woman does not consider giving up one of her organs as something catastrophic, because the possibility of losing her uncle to kidney failure was unthinkable to her and her family. “When the doctors told us that my uncle needed a blood type O donor, I immediately knew I had to do it.”
Her act of kindness has been an inspiration to her family, who live in the UAE and in the Philippines. “My uncle was so happy and excited to have a new shot at life,” added Arlene, a UAE resident for three years.
Even after the four-hour long surgery, which was a success, Arlene’s concern about her uncle’s health condition continues. She regular visits his hospital room at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, only a few steps away from her own hospital room.
Arlene says she already feels better and is expected to leave the hospital on Thursday, while her uncle will be discharged shortly after.
“I didn’t really feel scared, because I love and care about my uncle. If you really love and care about someone, the pain will be worth it. To know you are adding more years to someone’s life and just seeing them happy and healthy again is beyond the sacrifice,” added Arlene, who said she is set to return to work in six weeks.
New lease of life
Arlene’s uncle, Lito Gerodias, said he will forever be grateful for his niece’s life-saving gesture. He recalled his kidney failure ordeal, which was triggered over 10 years ago by a bad decision.
“I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2016, but I had issues with my kidney since 2008 when I got an urinary tract infection and was advised to do a kidney biopsy,” said the 33-year-old accountant, who moved to the UAE 10 years ago.
“I did not go for the biopsy because I assumed I was fine. Because I didn’t really feel ill, I thought it’s unnecessary.”
Lito says he will regret that decision for the rest of his life. “If you feel something is off in your body, just get it checked. I regret not listening to the doctor’s advice, because it eventually led to my niece having to donate her precious kidney to me.”
In 2016, Lito’s blood pressure began to rise, despite his vigorous gym routine and healthy lifestyle; he often felt nauseous and suffered from chronic vomiting.
The docs confirmed Lito’s worst nightmare: he had chronic kidney failure and needed to undergo tedious dialysis treatment, or get a new and healthy kidney.
His kidney function was less than 15 per cent by now. Lito said his young niece instantly offered her kidney without anyone asking her.
“I was concerned because she was so young and afraid it might impact her chances of conceiving in the future. But the doctors assured us that everything will be fine.”
Lito pointed out that despite his journey of ill health, it has been a life changing lesson and also something of a gift: “to never take life for granted.”
“I am so very thankful for Arlene. When we had the meeting with the doctor who asked Arlene why she wants to give her kidney, she simply said: ‘There is no reason: this is my uncle and I love him, so I’m giving him a part of me.”
To know you are adding more years to someone’s life and just seeing them happy and healthy again is beyond the sacrifice.” — Arlene Maskarino, donor
If you feel something is off in your body, just get it checked. I did not listen to the doctor’s advice, and it eventually led to my niece donating her kidney to me.” Lito Gerodias