Lungs used in Rabin Medical Center’s 1,000th transplant taken from fallen soldier

The 1,000th lung transplant performed at Rabin Medical Center was taken from fallen soldier Sgt. Maj. (res.) Asael Babad, the hospital says.

Asael’s lungs were transplanted into Amram Hazan, 53, who suffered from advanced chronic lung disease, saving his life.

“Asael always felt a divine mission to do good for the people of Israel, and it was clear to us that if there was a way to save lives even after Asael’s passing, this was the right thing to do,” Babad’s family says.

Babad, 38, a father of five, was severely hurt in October in a Hamas attack in the southern Gaza Strip, a week into the ceasefire. He succumbed to his wounds last week.

“I am breathing on my own again and returned to life after being in very serious condition,” says Hazan. “I am deeply grateful to the noble family who donated the lungs to me.”