In a unique partnership between Israeli and Cypriot doctors, a rare double transplant saves the lives of two women.

Israel's Rabin Medical Center was engaged in an international transplant effort - the first of its kind in Israel in over thirty years - as it received from Cyprus a donated heart for one female patient, and - from the same organ donor - lungs to another female patient.

The procedure, which was under enormous time pressure, was carried out in under four hours and included numerous medical professionals as well as aviation personnel to retrieve and bring the organs within the required time.

Dr. Tamar Ashkenazi, Director of Israel's National Transplant Center, received a call from Cyprus, with the presented donation of a heart and lungs. Dr. Ashkenazi jumped at the opportunity and quickly contacted Dr. Yuri Peysakhovich, Rabin Medical Center's Director of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Peysakhovich understood the obstacles and immediately set the wheels in motion to acquire the donated organs.

“A heart can survive outside the body for only four hours - and we were up to the task,” Dr. Peysakhovich stated.

The operation began at 10:30 am in Cyprus, and by noon both organs were in operating rooms in Rabin Medical Center.

Dr. Peysakhovich added, “This kind of life-saving effort transcends borders. It was incredibly moving to see how many people, in both countries, immediately mobilized to save lives.”

A 34-year old woman received the heart transplant, performed by Dr. Ehud Jacobzon, Director of Rabin Medical Center's Transplant Unit, and a 68-year old woman with advanced lung disease, was successfully operated on by Prof. Erez Sharoni, Rabin Medical Center's Director of Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Israel Kuzitz, and a team of thoracic surgeons.

Both operations were a success and the two patients are recovering well.

Dr. Ben Ben-Avraham, Rabin Medical Center's Director of the Heart Failure Service, was also member of this enormous effort and had been working with the heart patient before this operation. This unique opportunity, to receive such an organ donation that transcended borders, was beyond a miracle.

“We have an amazing population that donates, but we need more. Every organ donor saves multiple lives.”