The University of Texas Southwestern had their annual transplant dinner on Friday night, April 10. It was our first time to attend, and it was a humbling experience.
Two of Randy’s favorite doctors were there (there are several doctors on each transplant team), and two nurses who cared for him in ICU.
There were kidney transplantees, liver transplantees, heart and lung transplantees. We were sitting in a room of miracles.
Consider these facts:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10 percent of American adults – about 20 million people — have chronic kidney disease. Dr. Poggio says 600,000 are on dialysis and 100,000 are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Yet only 16,000 transplants are done each year. (http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/07/4-facts-you-need-to-know-about-kidney-transplants-and-dialysis/).
The nation has a severe shortage of donated livers. More than 16,000 people are awaiting a liver transplant, and just 6,300 a year get one. More than 1,400 others die waiting each year. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/liver-transplant-wait-_n_823358.html?)
At any given moment there are over 3,000 people on the heart transplant list, and around 2,000 are performed in the USA every year.
When it comes to lungs, the waters get murkier. The lungs were the last organs to be successfully transplanted…and they are the transplantation with the most risk. The lungs are the only organ (except the skin) exposed to the air, pollution, bacteria, etc. People who need a lung transplant have to be extremely healthy to be put on the list, and many more people die waiting for a transplant than get transplanted. Most patients are rejected from the list for health reasons. Randy was one of the very, very fortunate few, and his story is an unusual one for lung transplantation because he was on life support for almost two weeks prior to the surgery. (Here are some statistics).
It was incredible to be in a room full of miracles, and to be in a room with those who work tirelessly to create those miracles. We observed moments of silence for the donors and the donor’s families. It is due to people who donate their organs selflessly who save the lives of others. I am an organ donor. Are you?
Thank you, UT Southwestern Transplant Center. Thank you for giving the gift of life.
I feel your blessings, which are many, for the life Randy has back and I thank the donors, their families, the doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, volunteers, etc., etc, who all made it possible. Of course your constant love helped just as much, dear Tam. I love post, but my heart aches for all of those who lost their lives waiting, and for the ones who will lose their lives. Tragic.
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More donors…and you wouldn’t believe the technology that has arrived and is coming! I’ll be posting about it soon…it will save more lives. And the research is so important…lung transplants have the worst survival rates of all transplants…finding a way to keep chronic rejection at bay is at the heart of it all. Thank you for your kind words…and yes, my heart aches for those who don’t make it. I am on several social media transplant sites and believe me, it is hard when you hear someone lost their battle.
I had no idea that you and your husband had experienced this. I got my degree at UT Southwestern and know of the incredible work and research they do there. I am a donor and hope that your article encourages others to do so. We obviously need to do more so that more lives are not needlessly lost.
Yes. One of the main categories on my blog is Lung Transplant. Our journey was unexpected, miraculous….and long. The UTSW transplant team has saved Randy more than once…they are incredible human beings.
Glad you could both go. What a miracle medicine can be.
It truly is.
It really is a miracle when lives can be saved, isn’t it? And a blessing, too.
Incredible to sit in a room with people who would not be here without the transplant.
When my brother was murdered the letters we received from recipients of his eyes, skin, bones and heart gave us profound comfort. 26 people either had their lives saved or greatly improved. He was 26 and he died on the 26. His other organs and lungs could not be used because they were all badly damaged.
You are so right, miracles. I hope your husband continues to get better and better.
Thank your brother and your family for your generosity in helping others. I am so sorry for his loss.
What a wonderful celebration !! Such a miracle. I am a donor, and I hope more folks will sign up to be donors as time goes on. Donating organs is such a gift !
Loved the dive article.
Barb
Thanks, as always, for reading my blogs! I really appreciate it!
YES! I am a donor! And congratulations to you both for getting to celebrate in a “room full of miracles.” Ever since I learned that in other countries they make people “opt out” of organ donation and have many many more donors, I’ve been and advocate of our countries “opt in” approach. The more of us that push that the more likelihood of it changing.
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Yes…but did you know that in the end, regardless of what the person wanted, it is up to the family? They can refuse to donate in the states. I think that should change as well.
Oh Tam, I’m so happy for all of you! I felt your amazement at being in a room full of miracle workers. Godd Bless them all and let’s DONATE!
and let our families know our final wishes! Thanks!
Medical knowledge is a miracle, but there is far more to learn and know. I wish every person touched by transplant (I was – my cousin received a kidney) would write or call their Reps and Senators in DC to say that they want more pure science research funded. We cannot let drug companies nor religious convictions derail what was once the most amazing place for medical science breakthroughs in the world.
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The universities used to be full of pure research….not quite that way anymore, is it?
A room filled with miracles! What a beautiful image Tam! My little family is filled with proud organ donors.
It was a beautiful sight! and glad to hear you are a donor!
What a great event to attend! I am amazed at what can and is done for others without even expecting anything in return! This really is wonderful! Thanks for sharing these statistics.
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You are welcome! Awareness of being a donor is so important….life changing, for instance!
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