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Chewbacca Actor Helps Star Wars Fan Get Lifesaving Lung Transplant
Following a lung transplant, Kathlyn Chassey makes a triumphant exit from the Reagan UCLA Medical Center, accompanied by Darth Vader and storm troopers from "Star Wars."
Credit: Amanda Griswold/UCLA

STS member Abbas Ardehali, MD, surgical director of the UCLA Heart and Lung transplant program, is featured in a news story about a young woman born with cystic fibrosis who received a lifesaving lung transplant. After several transplant centers had deemed the surgery too risky, Dr. Ardehali and his team agreed to perform the transplant.

Kathlyn Chassey walks after her lung transplant surgery at Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Credit: Courtesy of the Chassey family

“Given her youth, her determination and the fact that we have the resources and experience at UCLA to offer this life-saving therapy, we felt it was our obligation and duty to provide her with a chance for transplant,” said Dr. Ardehali.

Read the full story here.

Heart and Lung Transplantation