22 | JUNE 3 • 2021 

A

few weeks ago, we cel-
ebrated Mother’s Day 
with flowers, family 
and fun. But one son is giving 
his mother the greatest gift: 
searching for a kidney donor to 
help save her life.
Jonathan Mafrice, 45, of Los 
Angeles, grew up in Bloomfield 
Hills, where he and his family 
attended Temple Israel. He 
graduated from Michigan State 
University and, after working 
in advertising, started a com-
pany that invented the first 
sound-embedded video game 
chair. He sold his business and 
moved to California, recently 
returning to Michigan to spear-
head the kidney search.

About three years ago, his 
mother, former teacher and 
businesswoman Daryle Roth, 
73, of West Bloomfield, was 
diagnosed with an autoimmune 
disease that attacked her kid-
neys. In the last few months, 
her kidney function has rapidly 
declined and she faces dialysis. 
The average wait time for a 
deceased donor kidney is two 
to five years, so now the family 
is desperately searching for a 
living transplant donor.
Mafrice wanted to donate 
himself, but that wasn’t a viable 
option.
“In 2005, I was diagnosed 
with severe aplastic anemia, 
a condition in which your 

immune system attacks your 
bone marrow, preventing it 
from producing new blood 
cells,
” Mafrice said. “I spent over 
two years in and out of hos-
pitals, receiving weekly blood 
transfusions. My mom was 
there for me … now it’s my turn 
to help her battle with kidney 
disease.
”
After finding out no close 
relative was a match — includ-
ing younger brother and father 
of two, Daniel, and his uncle 
— Mafrice had to expand his 
search, which includes talking 
with friends and strangers, as 
well as using Facebook, a help-
ful platform for connecting with 
those most likely to help. It’s 
become a daily task to keep the 
conversation going, he said.
“
Asking someone to donate 
isn’t an easy process. First, you 
have to tell everyone you know 
someone is sick and ask for 
help. Second, most people don’t 
know about living donations, so 
I educate them about becoming 
a donor or considering a living 
donation. Third, you need to 
find someone willing to do a 
completely selfless act, even for 
someone they don’t know.
”

HELPING A STRANGER
Through Facebook, Mafrice 
connected with a friend, Joanna 
Sanborn, who did just the same 
thing: became a living donor for 
a friend of her mother.
“My mom said her friend 
Alfred Klein had a potentially 
fatal kidney disease, and his 
sister Fran was leading the fight 
to save Alfie’s life,
” Sanborn said. 
“I have a sister and knew the 
desperation I would feel if I was 
in Fran’s position.
”
After undergoing blood 
draws to see if she was a match 
(in fact, she’s a universal donor), 
doing research on everything 
related to donation and consult-
ing several doctors, all of whom 
were supportive, she decided to 
proceed. 
“I found surprises around 

every corner,
” she said, “learn-
ing the ways kidneys function 
and how many lives have been 
saved by donating. I found 
myself part of a nurturing, sup-
portive community, in which 
I remain involved. Alfie’s body 
greeted my kidney with ‘open 
arms’ and he’s doing wonder-
fully today! If I could do it all 
over again, without hesitation, 
I would.
”

SEARCH CONTINUES
Like his friend, Mafrice has 
learned much during his search. 
“Kidneys are easier to match 
than other organs, and match-
ing isn’t specific to blood type, 
age, race or gender,
” he said. 
“Donors are carefully screened 
to ensure they’re healthy 
enough to donate and can live 
normal lives with one kidney. 
I’ve spoken with several donors, 
and each one says it was the 
most rewarding experience of 
their life.
”
Mafrice said he is honoring 
the ethical obligation of pikuach 
nefesh, saving a human life, for 
both his mother and others in 
the same situation.
“In our donor search, we’re 
raising awareness for everyone 
in need of organ transplant. 
We’re asking members of the 
Jewish community, which has 
always offered support to my 
family, to help us in this mitz-
vah. Many people are in need 
of a kidney right now. While it 
only takes one donor to save my 
mom, hopefully we can inspire 
others to donate as well.
“My mother wants to live a 
normal life, free from dialysis,
” 
Mafrice added. “She wants to 
watch her granddaughter dance 
and grandson play baseball. She 
would be grateful for a powerful 
and selfless gesture from anyone 
willing to donate.
” 

To donate for Daryle Roth, call the 

University of Michigan Transplant Center 

at (800) 333-9013 or email kidneydonor-

fordaryle@gmail.com. Follow at www.

facebook.com/KidneyDonorforDaryle. 

A Son’s
Lifesaving
Search

OUR COMMUNITY

Living donors wanted for those
in need of a kidney.

JUDY GREENWALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Daniel Mafrice (left), Daryle 
Roth, Jonathan Mafrice (right) 
and Roth’s granddaughter 
Alex and grandson Ryan.

