My Parents Gave Me Their Kidneys
Woman's Day Australia|March 8, 2021
Isaak's mum and dad each gave him a lifesaving gift
My Parents Gave Me Their Kidneys

At just eight years old Isaak Battista received a life-changing kidney transplant from his father Gianpiero, but little did he know in just a few years’ time his mother Rebekka would be making the same sacrifice to save his life again.

Now, Isaak carries both his parents with him – their kidneys are keeping the 23-year-old alive and healthy.

Born with a collapsed lung and failing kidneys, Isaak was placed in an oxygen chamber for three days to regain his strength. His parents were told he would need a kidney transplant in order to survive.

“I was in shock,” says Rebekka, who welcomed her baby at Lismore Base Hospital on January 21, 1998.

“I felt like the floor had fallen away... We had this gorgeous baby who I thought was so healthy and things just went very wrong.”

Too small to be operated on right away, the family faced an anxious three-month wait until their son was strong enough to undergo surgery.

This story is from the March 8, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 8, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S DAY AUSTRALIAView All
BEAT THE 2PM ENERGY SLUMP
Woman's Day Australia

BEAT THE 2PM ENERGY SLUMP

Shake off afternoon fatigue in as little as 20 seconds!

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
'MY DAUGHTER VANISHED WITHOUT TRACE
Woman's Day Australia

'MY DAUGHTER VANISHED WITHOUT TRACE

Catherine fears the worst after last seeing Chantelle 16 years ago

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
I RESCUE AUSSIES FROM CULTS
Woman's Day Australia

I RESCUE AUSSIES FROM CULTS

Raphael helps people break free from coercive religious groups

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
'LUKE WOULD BE PROUD OF ME'
Woman's Day Australia

'LUKE WOULD BE PROUD OF ME'

Ten years after her son's death, Rosie Batty is still helping others

time-read
3 mins  |
April 01, 2024
Mad Max 45 years on 'MEL & I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT'
Woman's Day Australia

Mad Max 45 years on 'MEL & I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT'

Steve Bisley recalls the day he and mate Mel Gibson began filming the low-budget movie that would become a global phenomenon

time-read
3 mins  |
April 01, 2024
LUCINDA & TIMOTHY FRIENDSHIP AT FIRST SIGHT
Woman's Day Australia

LUCINDA & TIMOTHY FRIENDSHIP AT FIRST SIGHT

The fan favourites have come out best pals!

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
CANDICE WARNER 'I'M DOING THIS FOR MYSELF'
Woman's Day Australia

CANDICE WARNER 'I'M DOING THIS FOR MYSELF'

The cricket WAG reveals it's been a long time coming to get into the South African jungle

time-read
3 mins  |
April 01, 2024
CLAWS OUT! IS JULIA & CHRIS FRIENDSHIP OVER?
Woman's Day Australia

CLAWS OUT! IS JULIA & CHRIS FRIENDSHIP OVER?

A war of words has left the former TV double act on shaky ground

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
JESS & JAMES CLOSER THAN EVER!
Woman's Day Australia

JESS & JAMES CLOSER THAN EVER!

Despite their split, the proud parents remain united to raise their daughter

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
BRAD TAKES THE STAND!
Woman's Day Australia

BRAD TAKES THE STAND!

Brad Pitt could be about to take the stand in the nastiest celebrity court case in history.

time-read
1 min  |
April 01, 2024