Ky couple participate in international organ swap

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sat Jun 2, 2012 4:58 PM

Story Updated: Sat Jun 2, 2012 4:58 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An Elizabethtown, Ky., couple is participating in an organ swap program that will eventually benefit six people reaching halfway around the world to Greece.

JoAnn Breckenridge received a new kidney from a stranger in April and her husband William donated one in May, taking part in a rare international exchange that could save more lives. By the time the string plays out, a total of six organs will have been donated.
The Louisville Courier-Journal reports when the couple underwent surgeries at Jewish Hospital, they took part in one of America's first international paired kidney donations (http://cjky.it/KVzIao).
Louisville surgeons Michael Marvin and Mary Eng were hailed by Greek Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis on Friday at the Greek Embassy in Washington, D.C., for the part they played in the donor exchange.
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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com