Guatemalan Man Receives Life-Saving Transplant Highlighting Our Global Impact

Oscar Lopez, a 66-year-old from Guatemala, was living with end-stage lung failure. Relying on oxygen 24/7, even simple activities like brushing his teeth were a real struggle, and he felt his life slipping away.

Oscar travelled to four different continents for medical support – South Asia, Latin America, Europe and the US – but no one could help him. Then, in late 2024, he was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s renowned Lung Transplant Program. Home to one of the region’s first and most comprehensive lung transplant programs, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is one of only a handful of centers worldwide that welcomes international patients.

Oscar was immediately enrolled on the program and within weeks, received the life-changing news that a matching donor organ had become available. Less than a week later, he was admitted and began preparations for his transplant.

Oscar underwent a successful double lung transplant surgery, and his recovery was remarkable. Just 10 days after his admission he was discharged, breathing on his own, and ready to begin the next chapter of his life.

Oscar says, “When I arrived at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, I felt like I had come to Heaven on Earth. The level of care, the kindness of the nurses, the professionalism, it was something I had never experienced before. Throughout my long journey, no other hospital could provide an organ in time, but within weeks of arriving here, I was already preparing for surgery. Today, I can breathe, walk, and live again. I thank God, and I thank the incredible team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi who made this miracle possible.”