Yeditepe University Hospital doctors met with patients and their families who underwent kidney transplant. During the organized breakfast event, Hüsmen Akgün and Hasan Özdemir, who regained their health with kidneys from the same cadaver, embraced each other, leaving a mark with the words 'We are kidney siblings.'
Yeditepe University Hospital has brought a new breath to the social lives of patients, even after they have recovered, by maintaining communication and meetings. Patients who underwent kidney transplants at Yeditepe University Hospital had the opportunity to reunite with their doctors. Doctors and patients who had kidney transplants, along with their families, gathered for a breakfast at a restaurant in Maltepe, Istanbul. The meeting, attended by about 40 people, included Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe, Head of the Department of General Surgery, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı, Head of the Nephrology Department, and Associate Prof. Dr. Zehra Eren from the Department of Nephrology at Yeditepe University Hospital.

“IF ONLY WE COULD BRING MORE SMILES TO THE FACES OF MORE PATIENTS”

Patients who regained their health through kidney transplant surgery shared their post-operative social lives and stories of returning to life with the doctors. The doctors present at the gathering individually engaged with kidney transplant patients and their families.
General Surgery Department Head Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe discussed how Yeditepe University Hospital has performed numerous kidney transplant surgeries to date. Gökçe explained that the process before and after the surgeries is challenging but rewarding. He mentioned that in these surgeries, the patients who regain their health, their families, and the hospital team experience great happiness together. Emphasizing the importance of kidney transplantation, Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe stated, "There is still inadequacy in the number of kidney transplants in our country. I wish we could bring more smiles to the faces of our patients" during his speech.
KIDNEY SIBLINGHOOD
Nephrologist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı also emphasized the responsibility of everyone to raise awareness about kidney transplantation. Kantarcı added that one should not fall into the thought of "It won't happen to me" and stressed that everyone, from patients to hospitals and doctors, should fulfill their duties regarding kidney transplantation.
The stories of patients who underwent kidney transplantation both pridefully and joyfully resonated during the meeting. The reunion of Hüsmen Akgün and Hasan Özdemir, who returned to life seven years ago with kidneys taken from the same cadaver, also took place. Akgün and Özdemir, who regained their health with kidneys from the same cadaver through the surgery performed at Yeditepe University Hospital, brought smiles to everyone by hugging each other and jokingly saying, "We are kidney brothers.”.