Late soldier’s family meet eight-month-old baby saved with liver donation
- 4 months ago
This is the heartwarming moment the family of a girl who received a life-saving live transplant from a soldier killed in battle met the donor's family.Israeli Staff Sergeant Dor Zimel, 27, was killed by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile last month in amid the conflict in the region with Lebanon and Gaza.His organs were donated and the liver was given to critically ill eight-month-old girl Lielle Avi at the Schneider Children's Center for General Pediatric Surgery in Petah Tikva.The late soldier's family had a bitter-sweet meeting with the little girl and her relatives at the hospital on May 2.Lielle's extended family awaited the Zimel family with flowers and gifts, with every member, including little Lielle, dressed in shirts bearing the image of the late Dor alongside Lielle's picture, with the caption: 'You were a hero, and you will remain one. Thank you.'In the emotional encounter, Sharon, Dor's mother, presented a small lion doll to Lielle's family, saying, 'We brought Lielle this lion so that our Dor will always watch over her, strong as a lion.'Avi, Lielle's father, addressed Dor's parents, saying: 'Your Dor continues to live through our Lielle. Forever you will be an inseparable part of our family. I have no words to thank you. My daughter was born anew thanks to your son.'Dr. Yael Moser-Glazberg, Director of the Liver Transplant Unit, addressed the Zimel family, saying: 'Thank you for giving this sweet baby a chance at life. It is an indescribable nobility of soul. 'We share in your profound grief and thank you on behalf of the hospital for the greatness of spirit to save lives in such a difficult moment. I wish both families full health and good news for all.'The Schneider Children's Center for Pediatric Surgery is the leading hospital performing the majority of pediatric organ transplants in Israel. Since its establishment, over 700 heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplants have been performed on infants, children, and adolescents, with success rates comparable to the best medical centres in the world.