Reema and Binn

On February 26, 2018, Reema (left) donated a kidney to her sister Binn.

“I was so excited. It was like living a life with purpose – to be able to know you can save your sister’s life. I didn’t feel scared at all to be honest, and I’ve got two young children as well. It was all about doing the right thing and being so thankful that I was a match.” Ten years earlier, when she was 36, Binn was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Vasculitus and eventually she developed kidney disease.

Watching her health gradually deteriorate was not fun. “I always knew I was going to need a kidney, I just didn’t know when. And my sister always used to say to me “don’t worry sis, my kidney’s your kidney.” If she had another kidney to donate, even to a random stranger, Reema says she would do it.

“I don’t want to be buried with any organ in my body. The purpose once I’m passed is to give life to others.” Reema Garcha