"A heart that will beat for the life of another child"/ The touching wish of the Albanian father who lost his son in Greece

An act of extraordinary pain and humanity has touched everyone's hearts after the tragedy of two children drowning in the Arahtho River in the city of Arta. The father of 12-year-old Albanian boy Kleoni, who lost his life along with his Greek friend, has donated his son's heart to continue beating in the body of another child.

"My son is gone, God took him, but his heart remained in Greece. May it be given to another child, so that he can continue the life that my son would have," said Kleoni's father through tears, adding a symbolic prayer: "When we learn who took his heart, let them make the eagle of Albania on it."

The hearts of the two children have now become symbols of donation and hope. The parents of the 14-year-old Greek, Spiros, decided to donate his organs immediately after being declared clinically dead, a decision that was also supported by Kleoni's Albanian family. Doctors at the Rios Hospital in Patras fought for 48 hours to keep him alive, but without success.

"We will always remember you, you escaped as heroes," their friends wrote in letters left on the riverbank, where the tragedy occurred.

The director of the intensive care unit was also moved to tears, saying: "Kleoni and Spiros, together, opened their wings and gave life to many other children. Hearts have no color."

The Albanian family also thanked Albanian immigrant Letian Gega, who jumped into the water to save the children. “Thank you Leon from Berat for doing everything for my son, even though God wanted him for himself,” the father said, his voice breaking with pain.

This noble act of the parents comes at a moment of deep pain, but it also shows the greatness of the human spirit that transcends borders, language, and nationality.

ARTË, GREECE – An act of extraordinary pain and humanity has touched everyone’s hearts following the tragedy of two children drowning in the Arahtho River in the city of Arta. The father of 12-year-old Albanian boy Kleoni, who lost his life along with his Greek friend, has donated his son’s heart to continue beating in the body of another child.

"My son is gone, God took him, but his heart remained in Greece. May it be given to another child, so that he can continue the life that my son would have," said Kleoni's father through tears, adding a symbolic prayer: "When we learn who took his heart, let them make the eagle of Albania on it."

The hearts of the two children have now become symbols of donation and hope. The parents of the 14-year-old Greek, Spiros, decided to donate his organs immediately after being declared clinically dead, a decision that was also supported by Kleoni's Albanian family. Doctors at the Rios Hospital in Patras fought for 48 hours to keep him alive, but without success.

"We will always remember you, you escaped as heroes," their friends wrote in letters left on the riverbank, where the tragedy occurred.

The director of the intensive care unit was also moved to tears, saying: "Kleoni and Spiros, together, opened their wings and gave life to many other children. Hearts have no color."

The Albanian family also thanked Albanian immigrant Letian Gega, who jumped into the water to save the children. “Thank you Leon from Berat for doing everything for my son, even though God wanted him for himself,” the father said, his voice breaking with pain.

This noble act of the parents comes at a moment of deep pain, but it also shows the greatness of the human spirit that transcends borders, language, and nationality.