SITI Zaleha Yon, 36, received a life-saving kidney donation from her older sister, Zeyati Yon, 54, in an incredible story of familial love and sacrifice.
The procedure, performed at Hospital Selayang on January 7, 2021, has been praised for its success, with no known consequences.
Kidney failure had left Siti Zaleha, the fifth among seven siblings, in critical need of a kidney transplant.
Fortunately, despite facing difficulties in her personal life and her work, her sister Zeyati, the second sibling and a single mother of three, volunteered as the most suitable donor.
In addition to saving her sister’s life, Zayati’s selfless act demonstrated the close relationship between sisters.
“My children initially opposed the idea because they were worried about potential risks, but I promise them that if God wills, they wouldn’t have anything to worry about.
“Thank God, even though some people said being a donor meant you couldn’t work hard and continue living normally, I have been able to perform my job well. I remain healthy with no side effects,” Zeyati responded when asked how she felt following the procedure.
Zeyati works at a hotel in the Housekeeping Department.
Siti Zaleha, meanwhile, told the Buletin Mutiara team that she has a younger sister, who was initially considered a donor before Zeyati stepped forward.
“She and I even share the same blood type, and she is in good health.
“However, due to her thin build, the doctors decided during the examination that she is not suitable for surgery, and the risk would be significantly higher compared to Zeyati.”
Siti further said there was another potential donor who could have been a suitable match before her siblings, but unfortunately, by the time the organ arrived at the hospital, it was damaged and deemed unusable.
Both sisters had renewed hope and vitality after the successful transplant process, which usually carries substantial risks and requires a lengthy recuperation period.
After the procedure, Zeyati, the donor, needed three days to regain consciousness and one month to recuperate completely. Despite the challenges, Siti Zaleha and Zeyati’s tenacity and resolve have contributed to a notable recovery in Siti Zaleha’s post-surgery health.
Both sisters now undergo frequent follow-up checkups once every three months to ensure their continuing well-being after the successful transplant.
Surprisingly, Siti only paid RM200 for the procedure, while the donor’s costs were covered.
This demonstrates the donor’s dedication to ensuring all patients have equal access to life-saving care.
Story by Nurul Hawa Farahin Hameddy
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud