Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Greek ambassador in Washington, Vassilis Kaskarelis, announced the first intercontinental paired kidney transplant, stressing that cooperation between Greece and the United States in this sector constitutes a "historic medical event at international level."The process known as "Kidney Paired Donation-KPD" takes place when a donor, incompatible with their designated recipient, donates a kidney to a stranger in order for their designee to receive a compatible kidney from another stranger. "Pay-it-forward" paired exchanges have saved lives in the U.S. for over 10 years, but the concept of extending the donor pool beyond the U.S. had been hindered by conflicting legal regimes.
The breakthrough came as a result of the efforts of Dora Papaioannou-Helmis, who advocated for changes in the Greek legal system striving for her husband’s life.
The pair were the first internationals to enter the "Alliance for Paired Donation". This achievement was the result of the close work and cooperation between Greece and the U.S.A.
