Latest news with #GiftOfLife
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
Swiss man visits Philadelphia months after life-changing hand transplant: "It is still a miracle"
Man visits Philadelphia months after life-changing hand transplant: "It is still a miracle" Man visits Philadelphia months after life-changing hand transplant: "It is still a miracle" Man visits Philadelphia months after life-changing hand transplant: "It is still a miracle" A patient from Switzerland is visiting Philadelphia and returning to the hospital that changed his life. Texting on his phone for the first time in 17 years, for Luka Krizanac, is a milestone, along with being able to pick up a bottle of water. "It gives me so much joy to be able to do that completely on my own," Krizanac said. The 29-year-old from Switzerland is back in Philadelphia at Penn Medicine months after having a double-hand transplant. "I started hoping for this as a child," Krizanac said. CBS Philadelphia He says when he was 12 years old, a case of strep throat wasn't properly treated and turned into a deadly sepsis infection. His hands and legs were amputated to save his life. Prosthetics worked for his legs, but not his hands. "You need your hands to survive, you need it for the most basic independence in life," Krizanac said. His family turned to the city of independence and the world-renowned transplant team at Penn to give Krizanac his dream. "Regaining hands after 17 years, I don't think there is a bigger dream than that," he said. It took years and a long interruption with the pandemic, but the family moved to Philly in the fall to wait for the call that finally came from the Gift of Life. Finding a good hand donor is especially complicated; there has to be a match for not only the blood type but also skin color, size and age. "With [the] hand, there are a lot of structures that need to be hooked up," Dr. Benjamin Chang with Penn Medicine said. Chang was part of the Penn team that performed the 10-hour surgery. Now, Krizanac is slowly regaining mobility with his new hands and can feel hot and cold water and texture. CBS Philadelphia "I am regaining function every week, every month, but right now I still need a lot of help," Krizanac said. Krizanac has moved back to Zurich; this is his first time back at Penn since the transplant. Chang said that as the nerves continue to grow, Krizanac will get more function and feeling in his hands. "It is still a miracle today to have two hands basically because I did not have that for almost 17 years," Krizanac said. As for what he would say to the donor family who helped reinvent his life, Krizanac said he's full of gratitude. "I would want them to know they changed not just my life but my family's life forever, and for that, we are deeply grateful," he said. Looking forward to a new life and thankful for his time in the City of Brotherly Love.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia family grieving loss of Navy officer, now being remembered for giving the gift of life
Philadelphia family grieves the loss of their Navy man now remembered for giving the gift of life Philadelphia family grieves the loss of their Navy man now remembered for giving the gift of life Philadelphia family grieves the loss of their Navy man now remembered for giving the gift of life On Memorial Day, the nation pauses to honor military members who died in service. A Philadelphia family is grieving the loss of their beloved Navy officer, Ronald Shousky, who's now being remembered for giving the gift of life. Opening her husband's journal, Brooke Lyons finds comfort reading his words. Enlisted in the Navy, Shousky always found time for his journal. He and Lyons were married two years ago, and they moved to Japan for his first tour of duty. "He was homesick, so we planned a surprise visit home," she said. But the family reunion never happened. Twenty-seven-year-old Ron Shousky was killed in a hit-and-run accident in September, the night before he was going to see his parents in Bridesburg. CBS News Philadelphia. "It's hard," said Ron's mother, Lisa Shousky. The heartbreak of losing their oldest son will never go away. "He was kind of our go-to for everybody in the family," she said. That spirit continues in a new way. Ron Shousky was an organ donor and saved six other lives. "And I would love to meet them, you know, just because they have a piece of him, so that's just amazing," said Lyons. CBS News Philadelphia. Family and friends joined the Gift of Life's Donor Dash. Now they're facing another big milestone. Memorial Day, when military members are honored. "It's going to be insanely hard, but nothing makes me feel better than honoring him. So, I will just keep doing that," said Lyons. His nickname was Batman. They have those reminders everywhere now. "He was just here to make this world a better place," said Lyons. Now his family is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sailor gone too soon, who gave the gift of life.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hundreds Walk for Life to benefit local pregnancy center
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – Over 300 people stepped off in the Pregnancy Help Center's Walk for Life on Saturday. After the walk through Boardman Park, participants enjoyed a free lunch and music. The event helps raise money for the no-cost women's center, which offers help and resources like pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and access to a baby boutique. The Pregnancy Help Center has been in the area for 38 years. 'It's so fun to see everyone, up to 80 and over and little babies in strollers, all celebrating the gift of life together today,' said organizer Mackenzie Sanchez. Sanchez says they expect to raise over $70,000 with the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
