This article was first published on January 8, 2023. Due to the current political discussion on the subject of organ donation, we are republishing it here.

Clara's first artificial heart is the size of a washing machine and weighs 101 kilograms. The heart is so bulky that Clara's mother can only lift it onto a trolley with the help of a nurse. She pushes the car alongside Clara down the corridor of the children's ward H4, German Heart Center Berlin. Clara and her heart are connected by a one and a half meter long tube that disappears into her abdominal wall. It is September and the sun is shining on white benches in the courtyard. There are small charging stations next to the benches. Clara, three years old, climbs onto a bench and jumps down. Climb and jump. “Again,” Clara cries, “again!” Soon the washing machine will make an alarm sound. "Battery operation for about ten minutes!" She rattles. “We have to slowly walk towards the socket,” says the mother.

Clara, what is that machine on the cable?

"A pump."

And what does the pump do?

"Die chest."

Clara's doctor doesn't like to call it an "artificial heart". She prefers to say “assist.” Some also say “mechanical heart support”. Because that's exactly what the washing machine does: it helps Clara's heart muscle transport blood throughout her body. It cannot replace a heart. Clara Hermsdorf, it looked like in those weeks, needed a new heart. A real one this time, made of flesh and blood. It has to be about the size and weight of a kiwi. Nobody can buy Clara this heart. It can only be given to her as a gift.

Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine

ad-free

Already registered?