4

Viky Tzilag, Yoseph Tzilag, Youssef
Amache and Suham Amache — partic-
ipants in Israel's first crossed transplan-
tation of kidneys.

Kidney Swap
Unites Families

A Jewish couple from Jerusalem and
an Arab couple from Jisr-e-Zarka par-
ticipated in a successful crossed-trans-
plantation of two kidneys — Israel's
first such surgery
The historic surgery, involving
Yoseph and Viky Tzilag of Jerusalem
and Youssef and Suham Arnache of
Jisr-e-Zarka took place at Rabin Med-
ical Center, site of Israel's first kidney
transplant in 1964.
This first case in the Israeli Min-
istry of Health's new "kidney swap-
ping" program saw the Arab man
donate a kidney to the Jewish man
while the wife of the Jewish man
donated a kidney to the wife of the
Arab man.
The transplantation was the culmi-
nation of a long, complicated process
for both couples, who each under-
went extensive testing in search of a
kidney that would be compatible. In
a surprising turn of events, doctors
•
discovered medical compatibility
between the two women and between
the two men.
In addition to the medical exams,
both families underwent routine psy-
cho-social evaluations given to all
transplant and donor candidates.
"I feel, in my heart and in my
mind, that my donated organ is going
to my husband. I'm naming this gift
for love," said Viky Tzilag. "A human
bond has formed between us and the
Amaches and I'm happy that my
donation, in a round-about way, is
helping another person."
Youssef Amache said, "I feel that
my kidney is going directly to my
wife — the main thing is that we will
all be healthy."
All four surgeries were performed
simultaneously; they lasted five hours.
The two couples met for the first
time the night before surgery.

WITH A VERY
CARING STAFF.

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7/10
1998

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