Organ Harvesting at Dobrobut Hospital Network
A 67-year-old woman who passed away from a stroke has become an organ donor, saving the lives of three people in need of heart and kidney transplants. Her family consented to the donation, allowing the procedure to take place at the multidisciplinary Dobrobut Hospital. This marks the third organ harvesting operation conducted at the facility since 2021.
The woman arrived at the medical center in critical condition due to an acute cerebrovascular event. After brain death was confirmed, her husband and daughter made the decision to donate her organs. Before the organs were removed, medical staff—including vascular surgeons—performed a posthumous coronary angiography and stented a coronary artery. The extraction was carried out by joint teams of transplant surgeons from the Heart Institute under Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and the Kyiv City Medical Center.
Honoring the Donor's Memory
Thanks to the family’s decision, doctors were able to save three people who urgently needed heart and kidney transplants. Yelyzaveta Plechysta, a transplant coordinator and head of the anesthesiology and intensive care unit at the clinic, stated:
“We extend our condolences to the family and thank them for making a difficult but profoundly important decision. In situations like these, we fight for the patient’s life until the very end. When saving them is no longer possible, another very challenging yet vital opportunity arises—saving others. The family’s choice at that moment reflects immense strength and humanity. It is because of such decisions that three people now have a chance at life.” - Yelyzaveta Plechysta
Before the procedure began, the medical team paid tribute to the donor and her contribution to saving others by organizing a “Corridor of Honor.” Doctors and hospital staff lined up to show their final respects to 13-year-old Ivan, whose donated organs after his death gave hope to others. Ivan had been admitted to the hospital with a severe traumatic brain injury, and his parents also consented to posthumous donation. This event further underscores the critical role of organ donation and compassion in difficult circumstances.
This case once again highlights the importance of organ donation, which can transform the lives of people in urgent need of medical care. Deciding to donate is a difficult but crucial step, demonstrating empathy and a willingness to help others in moments of tragedy. Efforts to promote organ donation in Ukraine continue, which could significantly increase the number of successful transplants and lives saved.
Organ donation not only saves lives but also highlights the profound impact of compassionate decisions made during tragic times. In a similar instance, a 13-year-old donor provided a kidney to 11-year-old Yuriy from Lviv, showcasing the remarkable courage of young individuals and their families in the face of adversity. To learn more about this inspiring story, visit this article.