A liver that was flown overnight from Cyprus to Rabin Medical Center saved the life of 32-year-old Linoy Amsalem in an urgent procedure.
The National Transplant Center alerted Rabin Medical Center on Friday evening about a compatible liver offered in Cyprus, officials said. An air ambulance was arranged for Saturday at 5 a.m., with senior transplant surgeons Dr. Aviad Gravetz and Dr. Fahim Kanani flying to Nicosia for organ recovery.
In Nicosia, a Greek team recovered the heart, and a Cypriot team recovered the kidneys under Dr. Michael Papoulos with coordinator Kristella. The Israeli surgeons recovered the liver in the local hospital’s operating room, while the timing for Israel’s procedure was set to begin as the aircraft departed for the return flight.
The transplant in Israel
As the team approached Israel, Rabin Medical Center initiated final preparations to guarantee the liver's immediate implantation upon arrival. Dr. Eviatar Nesher, the head of the hospital's transplant department, and his deputy, Dr. Vladimir Tennak, performed the transplant. Hospital officials said the operation was successful.
Rabin Medical Center said dozens of professionals took part in the mission, including anesthesiologists, anesthesia technicians, transplant coordinators, operating room nurses, the blood bank, medical transport teams, and the tissue typing laboratory. Immediately after surgery, Amsalem was admitted to the general intensive care unit and, once stable, was transferred to the transplant department. Her condition is now excellent.
Amsalem, a single woman from Hadera who began studying medical administration amid years of treatment for liver cirrhosis, said the procedure offers hope of building a family. “My biggest dream is to have children,” she said. “I owe my life to Dr. Michal Cohen and transplant coordinator Sigal Cohen, who supported me throughout this journey.”
Cross-border cooperation and donor awareness
National Transplant Center managing director Dr. Tamar Ashkenazi praised the Cypriot team’s flexibility in adapting operating room schedules to Israel’s logistics. Amsalem said the experience profoundly changed her view of donor registration. “Before I became ill, I had no awareness of the importance of an Adi donor card. Today I understand how vital it is for saving lives.