Happiness After 18 Years: She Clung to Life with a Kidney Transplant

Zübeyde Bilen (54), who lives in Iskenderun district of Hatay, regained her health with a kidney transplant performed in Antalya after 18 years of waiting. Bilen stated that the family who donated a kidney to her did a great favor and said, “I am endlessly grateful to them.”

18 Years of Waiting and Dialysis Process

Zübeyde Bilen, who was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and had to undergo dialysis for 18 years, experienced difficulties in this process due to the lack of a suitable kidney. Bilen, who could not get kidneys from her siblings, mother and father, stated that her husband could not donate due to tissue incompatibility. Due to a genetic disease, doctors did not find it appropriate to transplant kidneys from siblings.

Journey to Antalya in Hope of Transplant

Learning that Antalya is a leading city in organ transplantation, Bilen moved to Antalya three years ago with his wife without losing hope for a transplant. Bilen, who has been on the organ waiting list at the Antalya Training and Research Hospital Organ Transplant Center for two years, received the news that a suitable kidney was found from a cadaver last week and experienced great happiness.

A New Life Through Kidney Transplant

Zübeyde Bilen regained her health with a successful kidney transplant operation performed by Antalya Training and Research Hospital Organ Transplant Center Director and Surgical Supervisor Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Çakır and his team. Bilen, who was kept alive with the donated kidney of A.D. (62), who was brain dead, said, “God bless the donor family. I am grateful to them,” she expressed her feelings.