The Beginnings of SACH

Save a Child's Heart exists today because of the vision, passion and boundless energies of the late Dr. Ami Cohen. An excellent surgeon, an inspiring leader, and a warm and caring person, Ami was the driving force that created SACH and turned it into an important contributor to children's health worldwide. In August 2001 Ami suddenly and tragically passed away. His friends and colleagues in Save a Child's Heart sorely miss him, but continue to emulate his enthusiasm and dedication, bringing the organization to even greater achievements.

Dr. Cohen immigrated to Israel from the United States in 1992. He joined the staff of the Wolfson Medical Center and served as the Deputy Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery, and Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

In 1988, while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea, Dr. Cohen was approached by the head of an international organization, Save the Hearts. The organization was sending orphaned and indigent Korean children to western countries for medical care not available locally. Dr. Cohen was so impressed with the concept that he requested and received permission from his superiors to participate in the program. During the remainder of his time in Korea, he performed 35 pediatric cardiac operations, giving those children a new lease of life.

Save A Child's Heart came into being in 1995 when Dr. Cohen was contacted by an Ethiopian doctor referred to him by a mutual friend at the University of Massachusetts. He asked for Dr. Cohen's help with two children in desperate need of heart surgery. From this beginning, the SACH medical team of highly skilled doctors, nurses and paramedics, has now grown to 70 members, and has operated on hundreds of children, and the number is growing every day! The astounding success rate of 96% has been achieved with hardly any publicity, public relations, and little money. Our greatest achievement is that all the children, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or religion are treated free of charge with the finest medical care at the cutting edge of technology, provided by Save A Child's Heart in co-operation with the Wolfson Medical Center.