Young Woman Given New Chance at Life After Kidney and Pancreas Transplants

When Nada’s kidneys began to fail, doctors warned a kidney and pancreas transplant would be her best chance for a life without insulin and dialysis.

Nada had experienced health issues since childhood. By her own admission, she neglected her health due to lack of knowledge and understanding. By the age of 36, she had developed diabetes and had to check her glucose levels and inject insulin daily, significantly impacting her way of life.

Following the birth of her son, Nada’s health deteriorated significantly. Her diabetes led to nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney failure. Eventually, her pancreas was also compromised. She sought help from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where she was diagnosed with complete kidney failure. She was told she had the option of continuing with insulin and kidney dialysis for the rest of her life or undergo a kidney and pancreas transplant – the best long-term option for patients with late-stage kidney disease.

The search began for donors and, unexpectedly, Nada’s younger brother stepped in and generously offered her one of his own kidneys. He was a perfect match, and Nada’s health immediately improved. However, a donor pancreas was still a priority to ensure her new kidney didn’t fail.

After an agonizing wait of over a year, a suitable donor pancreas became available. The transplant operation took place immediately and today, thanks to the selfless and life-saving gift from the donor and his family, Nada is living a healthy, disease-free life.

Nada says, “I am so grateful to the staff and nurses at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, while I don’t even know who the pancreas donor is or where he is from, I am so grateful that he and my younger brother gave me a new lease of life, free from the burden of a chronic disease.”