Denise Darvall

South African heart transplant donor

Denise Darvall (27 February 1942 – 3 December 1967) was a South African woman who became the world's first heart donor in a successful human heart transplant. Her heart was transplanted into Louis Washkansky by Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Early Life

Denise Darvall was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on 27 February 1942. She grew up in a middle-class family and was known for her vibrant personality and caring nature. Denise worked as a bank clerk and lived with her parents, Edward and Myrtle Darvall, and her younger brother, Clive.

Accident and Death

On 2 December 1967, Denise and her family were involved in a tragic car accident in Cape Town. The accident resulted in the death of her mother, Myrtle, and left Denise with severe head injuries. She was taken to Groote Schuur Hospital, where she was declared brain dead.

Heart Donation

Chapel at Maitland Crematorium, Cape Town, South Africa

Denise Darvall's father, Edward, was approached by Dr. Christiaan Barnard and his team with the request to donate her heart to a patient in need. After careful consideration, Edward Darvall consented to the donation, making Denise the first person to donate a heart for a successful transplant.

The Transplant

The heart transplant operation took place on 3 December 1967. Dr. Christiaan Barnard led the surgical team at Groote Schuur Hospital. The recipient, Louis Washkansky, was a 53-year-old man suffering from chronic heart disease. The operation was a medical milestone, marking the first time a human heart was successfully transplanted into another person.

Legacy

Denise Darvall's contribution to medical science is remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of organ transplantation. Her donation paved the way for future advancements in transplant surgery and has saved countless lives since. The ethical and medical implications of her donation continue to be studied and discussed in medical circles.

Related Pages

• Christiaan Barnard
• Louis Washkansky
• Groote Schuur Hospital
• Organ transplantation