05.11.2026 11:42
Eleven-year-old Elifsu Yüksel and nine-year-old Kadirhan Yalçın, who are being treated at Hacettepe University Children's Hospital for heart failure, are waiting for an urgent heart transplant. While Elifsu has been waiting for a transplant for about 4 years, Kadirhan has been in the hospital since January. Prof. Dr. Murat Güvener noted that alternative treatment is limited due to their low weight and said that an increase in organ donation would touch the lives of those waiting for a transplant.
Eleven-year-old Elifsu Yüksel and nine-year-old Kadirhan Yalçın, who are being treated for heart failure, are waiting for an urgent heart transplant in order to hold on to life.
During Organ Donation Week, Kadirhan and Elifsu, who dream of regaining their health with a new heart and returning home, are waiting with their families at Hacettepe University Children's Hospital, where they are being treated, for hopeful news.
The two children, who have been away from school due to their treatment, also attend classes together in the hospital classroom.
HEART TRANSPLANT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
Prof. Dr. Murat Güvener, a faculty member of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, stated in his statement to an AA correspondent that a heart transplant is of vital importance for Elifsu and Kadirhan.
Stating that a heart transplant is a mandatory treatment option, Prof. Dr. Güvener said that alternative treatment options are limited, especially because their weight is low.
Güvener noted that heart transplants can be performed with organs obtained from cadavers and from people who have suffered brain death, and that the number of donations is limited, stating that an increase in organ donation would touch the lives of patients waiting for a transplant.
Stating that patients' daily lives change significantly after an organ transplant, Prof. Dr. Güvener said, "All of their lives change; they start a new life. They are freed from medications and difficult situations. Donating is a very big thing. It is very hard to express in words."
SHE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A HEART TRANSPLANT FOR FOUR YEARS
Elifsu's mother, Hatice Yüksel, said that she is a mother of three and that they came from Antalya to Ankara for the treatment of her middle child, Elifsu.
Yüksel, noting that Elifsu has had a heart condition for about four years and has been waiting for a transplant, said that for the last two years they have been traveling back and forth between Ankara and Antalya, and that they have been continuing the treatment process for about 15 months.
Yüksel explained that her daughter's illness was congenital but that they learned about it later, and stated that when she was attending school, they consulted a doctor due to complaints of rapid fatigue and bluish discoloration of her lips, and after the evaluations, she was diagnosed with heart failure.
Yüksel said, "Of course, sometimes we get very tired. We also try to be strong; we do not lose hope. Together with Elifsu, we support each other; sometimes we cry, sometimes we laugh. We never lose hope."
Yüksel, stating that society needs to become more aware about organ donation, said, "Let them become aware and donate their organs. Let them share this with their families. Let them obtain accurate information about this issue. With an organ they donate, they will continue to live in another life. Let them realize this."
Elifsu, for her part, stated that she wanted to leave the hospital and return home, and said, "Right now I want to be at home. I want to eat junk food and watch movies with my older brothers. I am here because I am waiting for a transplant. I am waiting for a heart transplant. Most of all, I want to have the transplant and go home."
THEY EXPERIENCED ALL FOUR SEASONS IN THE HOSPITAL
Kadirhan's mother, Ayşe Yalçın, also explained that they came to the hospital in January for her son's treatment and that they have been going through a difficult process since that day.
Yalçın, noting that they stayed in Ankara for Kadirhan's treatment, said, "We have experienced all four seasons here. I left my other child; we are here for Kadirhan's treatment. We are going through a difficult process. We had no idea it would be like this. We learned it when we came here. We were very happy when we saw our friends who had transplants. We experienced great joy. I cannot describe what we have been through. People do not understand until they experience it themselves."
Yalçın related that her son had previously been followed for a muscle disease, and said that in November last year, as a result of evaluations prompted by a complaint of excessive sweating while he was going to school, they learned about his heart condition.
Yalçın, noting that they were referred from Antalya to Hacettepe University, expressed that they had been at the hospital for about a year and that they missed their families and loved ones very much, while Kadirhan missed his teacher and friends.
Yalçın, relating that she herself had a cornea transplant at a young age, said, "Living through this with my child is very different. I hope no one has to experience it or be tested with their child. We are waiting for a hope. This is our only remedy, our hope."