Within 48 Hours, 7 Children Receive the Gift of Life Through Organ Donations

One transplant marathon after another at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Clalit group: Within 48 hours, two consecutive organ transplant marathons took place at Schneider Children's, during which seven children from across the country received the gift of life thanks to organ donations.

During the first transplant marathon, an 11-year-old girl received a liver, two kidneys were transplanted into 10- and 11-year-old girls and a complex heart-lung transplant saved the life of a 14-year-old girl. In the second transplant marathon, a liver was transplanted into a 3.5-year-old boy, while two children aged 4 and 5 received kidneys. These transplant marathons were carried out consecutively in the operating suites at Schneider Children's Medical Center.

Additionally, in January 2025, three liver transplants were performed on a 16.5-year-old adolescent, a 6.5-year-old boy, and a 3.5-year-old boy.. A kidney transplant was also performed on a 2-year-old boy. This brings the total number of pediatric organ transplant recipients since the start of the year to 11, all of whom received the gift of life thanks to organ donations from deceased donors. The transplanted children are currently recovering in the intensive care and cardiac intensive care units at Schneider Children's.

Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev, CEO of Schneider Children's Medical Center, emphasized the significance of these transplants, stating:

"We are always deeply honored and profoundly moved by the privilege of playing a role in saving children's lives. We extend our immense gratitude to the bereaved families for their noble generosity in their most difficult hour. The ability of Schneider Children's multidisciplinary teams to mobilize for a transplant marathon within such a short timeframe is truly inspiring. It embodies the 'above and beyond' commitment we strive to provide for every child under our care."

Schneider Children's Medical Center is among the few pediatric hospitals worldwide capable of performing a large number of organ transplants. Successfully carrying out four complex transplant surgeries in rapid succession requires meticulous preparation and coordination among numerous hospital teams, including the surgical department, pediatric organ transplant specialists, cardiology team, anesthesiology staff, ultrasound unit, operating room nursing staff, and intensive care teams.

Schneider Children's Medical Center performs most pediatric organ transplants in Israel. Since its establishment, hundreds of pediatric organ transplants have been successfully performed, including heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplants for infants, children, and adolescents - achieving success rates comparable to the world's leading medical centers.