The Maine Jewish community has put out a call for help for a woman in need of a kidney donor.

Avis Smith, the Director of Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh in Portland, ME, is suffering from polycystic kidney disease, which has now progressed to its final stages. She is in dire need of a kidney transplant and her best odds for a healthy survival are to find a living donor.

Donating a kidney is a great act of chesed – loving kindness. For more information about the Jewish medical ethics of becoming a living donor, as well as information about the process of becoming a live kidney donor, visit the Halachic Organ Donor Society at www.hods.org.

Those considering a kidney donation may contact Avis Smith at avismsmith@yahoo.com or the Maine Transplant Program at www.mmc.org/mainetransplantprogram. Costs for potential donors and medical tests are paid for by the transplant program.

In addition, a Facebook page has been set up entitled “A kidney for Avis Merdek Smith”. Please consider putting a link to this page on your own Facebook page.