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A RAY OF LOVE IN THE DARKNESS OF HATE

Multiple Organ Transplantations Epitomize the Bridge to Peace

There are some acts of humanitarianism and bravery that simply surpass description and defy belief. Such was the courageous decision of the Hatib family of Jenin, whose 12-year-old son, Ahmed, was tragically shot by the IDF. In the darkest hour of their despair, his parents decided to donate Ahmed's organs to help save the lives of Israelis "as a sign of peace and brotherhood between the two nations".

The series of multiple organ transplants took place consecutively over a period of 36 hours at Schneider Children's: Ahmed's heart was transplanted into the body of 12-year-old Samah Gadban of the Druze village of Pekiin; his kidneys were given to 5-year-old Mohammed Kavoah from a Beduin village in the south and 4-year-old Menucha Levinson from Jerusalem; a liver lobe was given to a 7-month-old Jewish infant. The marathon surgeries were conducted by several teams of organ transplant specialists, after which the children were hospitalized in the cardiac and pediatric intensive care units.

These dramatic events gained impact when the donor family met with the families of recipients at Schneider Children's on Nov. 15, 2005, epitomizing every principle and expression of the hospital's role as a bridge to peace and its aspirations to the highest standards of medical excellence.

The emotional meeting was one of those rare and unforgettable moments, when one stands in awe of its significance and drama. There was a hush when the Hatibs entered the room packed with journalists, photographers and TV cameras; it became an electrical charge when heart recipient, Samah Gadban and her parents came in and saw the Hatibs for the first time. The defining moment came when Ibrahim Hatib took Samah's face in his hands and said, "Now we are one. It is as if I see my son's face in yours." There was not a dry eye in the room.

All four parents spoke about 'ahavat ahim', brotherly love. Yusra and Riad Gadban were effusive in their praise of the Hatib's extraordinary gift of life and Schneider's treatment of Samah, whose brother had died in 1991 of the same cardiac disorder but for whom there had been no donor. Yusra verbalized what everyone felt, "This family (the Hatibs) surprised the whole world; their child was killed, yet they gave their son's organs to sick children in Israel. This should be a bridge to peace for both nations." Addressing Ablah Hatib, she added, "I ask that we be two mothers to Samah, in whose chest Ahmed's heart now beats."

The Hatibs also met Mohammed and his mother, who pointed out that her son had been in a critical condition before the transplant surgery. Tova Levinson, mother of Menucha, also thanked the Hatibs for saving her daughter's life. In response, Ibrahim noted that, "Ahmed is not dead; these children are living proof to the whole world that he is alive. They should learn from this, those who decide on our fate, war or peace."

ADI, the Israeli organ donor organization presented the Hatibs with a special certificate and check in appreciation of their brave and admirable gesture.

The organ transplantation program at Schneider Children's has received the personal blessing of two distinguished Israeli officials, the Minister of Health, MK Danny Naveh, and Zeev Vurembrand, CEO of Clalit Health Services, of which the hospital is a member. The evolvement and indeed outstanding success of such an expansive (and expensive) program lies its pioneering spirit, the quality and dedication of its staff, and the devotion of its supporters and volunteers. All these have combined to create a winning combination between medical excellence and a special environment for children.

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