In the U.S., an estimated 26 million people -- about 13 percent of the population -- now have chronic kidney disease. • There are currently about 125,00 people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in the U.S. Of these, over 100,000...
moreIn the U.S., an estimated 26 million people -- about 13 percent of the population -- now have chronic kidney disease.
• There are currently about 125,00 people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in the U.S. Of these, over 100,000 await kidney transplants. Transplantation is superior to long-term dialysis.
• Well-matched live donor kidneys typically last twice as long (ten versus twenty years) compared to transplants from cadaver kidneys.
• The median wait time for an individual’s first kidney transplant is 3.6 years and can vary depending on health, compatibility and availability of organs.
• In 2014, about 17,000 about kidney transplants took place in the US. Of these, 12,000 came from deceased donors and about 5,000 came from living donors.
I'm one of the very lucky ones. I had no suitable relative, but I received a live kidney, donated by an anonymous altruistic donor and facilitated through Renewal, a not-for-profit that matches donors with recipients and encourages altruistic donations.
Kidney transplantation is life-saving. We all have two kidneys. We only need one. God gave each of us a spare. Anyone who is healthy is urged to consider giving the gift of life to someone who desperately needs a kidney.
