A Toronto woman received a new kidney in Cyprus on Friday, donated by an Australian man rumoured to be part of an alleged "kidney cult."
Sandi Sabloff, who suffered from chronic kidney failure, was originally scheduled to receive a transplant from Ash Falkingham on April 2007 at Toronto General Hospital. The hospital reportedly cancelled the procedure after learning Falkingham was part of a religious group that encourages its members to donate organs.
Sabloff first met Falkingham online. After some communication it was agreed he would travel to Canada to donate his kidney while she covered his travelling expenses.
However, Toronto General halted the process after receiving a letter from Falkingham's mother and step-father indicating he had been allegedly brainwashed by a religious group called the Jesus Christians.
The hospital is said to have questioned whether Falkingham may have been coerced into donating by the so-called "kidney cult," according to a Canadian Press report at the time.
The surgery was scheduled for April 30, 2007. Falkingham spent 10 weeks in Canada awaiting the procedure before returning home to Sydney, organs intact.
According to the Australian media, Falkingham had come to Canada because he would not have been able to make a similar donation in his native country unless he had a long-term friendship with the donor recipient.
Sabloff and Falkingham are reported to be recovering well.
