Sometimes life gives us second chances in the most unexpected ways. For Luka Kriszanac, the journey from losing his hands at a young age to regaining them through a groundbreaking transplant is a tale of resilience, hope, and gratitude that inspires us all.

At 29, Luka stood before his surgical team at Penn Medicine, emotions running high as he prepared to embrace a new life. His journey had been long—his hands had been taken from him at only 12 years old due to a severe infection, resulting in amputations that changed his world forever.

Witnessing Luka’s joy as he reunited with the team that transformed his life was nothing short of miraculous. The procedure they performed— a double hand transplant— was pioneering, and he was among a select few worldwide to undergo this incredible operation.

“Regaining hands after 17 years is a dream come true,” Luka spoke with glistening eyes, emphasizing his deep appreciation for the donor’s family. “They didn’t just change my life; they changed my family’s life eternally.”

His quest for hands began back in 2018 when he learned about the hand transplant program at Penn. Luka was determined, working diligently with a team led by experts L. Scott Levin and Benjamin Chang, whose dedication was palpable after years of waiting.

Dr. Levin shared, “Every day involves countless activities that we take for granted. A prosthetic can’t capture what natural hands can.” His pride in their past successes highlighted how meaningful each transplant was, filled with stories of resilience.

Due to pandemic-related delays, their search for the right donor stretched into the next decade. But in 2024, through the Gift of Life program, Luka received the match he’d awaited—an extraordinary moment marked by meticulous planning requiring compatibility across various factors like genetic makeup, muscle density, and even skin color.

When the time finally came, a relentless 10-hour surgery commenced in the stillness of night. Two expert teams labored, one focused on Luka and the other preparing the deceased donor’s hands for the life-changing connection.

As Luka awoke after the surgery, a wave of astonishment washed over him. For the first time in his memory, he could perform simple yet profound tasks: pushing his glasses up, typing on a screen, or even grasping a cup. He felt sensations of temperature—hot and cold— that he had long missed.

While his journey ahead would involve regular visits to the hospital for rehabilitation, he forged a unique bond with the medical team who became an integral part of his life story. “Once we take this on, we remain their doctors forever,” Dr. Levin noted, emphasizing the lasting commitment of their team.

Fast forward to June, when Luka returned to Philadelphia, the air filled with gratitude and hope. He embodies resilience, serving as a beacon of encouragement for others facing challenges, proving that miracles can indeed happen, and dreams can come true.

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