A 14-year-old girl from Lebanon named Rawan Al Nazer has found a new lease on life through a bone marrow transplant operation in Turkey. Rawan has been suffering from thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean anemia, since birth. After years of difficulty and unsuccessful searches for a suitable donor, a Turkish donor was finally found. Professor Gülyüz Öztürk, head of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit of Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital, played a key role in facilitating the transplantation process. The operation was successful, with no major problems encountered, and Rawan was able to return home after six months of recovery.
Rawan’s father expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to find a donor in Turkey and said that his daughter has been given a new life. This story highlights the importance of bone marrow transplants in treating thalassemia and the impact that a suitable donor can have on a patient’s life. Additionally, it underscores the significance of international collaboration and expertise in healthcare, as Rawan was able to receive the treatment she needed through connections between Lebanon and Turkey.
