SWAMPSCOTT — Ina Resnikoff, a resident and longtime community member, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant.
“I’ve had the privilege of being a Swampscott resident for nearly 47 years now,” Resnikoff said. She recalled how her kidney issues began 12 years ago, when, during a trip to Cuba, she broke her back in an accident. After numerous surgeries and much medication, her kidneys were weakened — even though her doctor estimated she wouldn’t see kidney trouble until years down the road.
“It was just a shock that it all came on this quickly,” she said.
She noted, since then, her kidneys have deteriorated to the point where a transplant is essential. According to Resnikoff, she is not a good candidate for dialysis, which has added more weight and pressure onto her shoulders.
Resnikoff noted the complexities that encompass the journey she’s been on to find a healthy donor for a transplant. She cited the mountain of work done by Renewal, an organization that helps families every step of the way, from finding donors to arranging the transplant, according to their website.
“I really wanted to say that Renewal is a god-driven mission,” Resnikoff said, highlighting how critical the organization has been in helping her find possible donors. “It’s a very complicated process, but they’ve done so much and I’m just so grateful for everything they do.”
Resnikoff has an extensive background with both the Town of Swampscott and the greater North Shore. According to an interview with Jewish Journal, she grew up in New London, Conn., and her career in social justice has spanned numerous titles, ranging from serving on the Boston Commission on Affairs of the Elderly, as well as developing and running Home Health Services for Family Services of Greater Boston.
She graduated from Boston University and continued her education at Harvard. Later on, she received her Law Degree from Suffolk University. As an attorney, she honed her focus on family law and child welfare.
The news about Resnikoff has spread throughout Swampscott. Residents might have spotted signs planted into the ground that highlight Resnikoff’s situation. Posts about Resnikoff on the Facebook page “Swampscott nest” also managed to help spread awareness of the matter.
She cited the impact that the signs and flyers posted around Swampscott and other towns had on her journey thus far.
“I’m so blessed for my friends in Swampscott. Bob and Edie Baker took it upon themselves to launch this campaign,” she said. “They put up signs in Peabody, Ipswich and of course, Swampscott. It just makes a tremendous difference because the wider that you cast your net, the more opportunity for donations.”
For residents that are interested in learning more about kidney donation and Ina’s journey, or to see if they’re a potential match, community members are encouraged to email [email protected], or call 718-431-9831, Ext. 315.
Renewal can also be found at: https://www.renewal.org/whoweare
