Researchers Seek Organ Transplant Options

The organ transplant waiting list is rapidly increasing. Right now more than 80,000 people are waiting for organs, last year only 24,000 received one.

Now, researchers are looking at new options for more organs.

Like other 11-year-olds, Loren Woolery has her priorities.

"Basketball, and scooter, and talking to my friend Jessie for at least maybe one hour," she says.

And she's a fighter.

"She has taught me how to be strong," said her father, Paul.

When she was 18 months old, Loren's kidneys failed. She was put on dialysis. One year later, she got a donor kidney.

"Emotions just flew around, happy, excited," her mother, Faye, said.

Soon, more of the 53,000 people waiting for kidneys may have the same opportunity. Most transplants are taken when a person dies of brain death. But a new study found that kidneys taken after cardiac death work just as well.

"It means about 1,000 more kidneys a year for transplantation," said nephrologist Robert Metzger.

Also, researchers like Metzger, of Florida Hospital, are accepting organs from older donors.

"We know that statistically they don't do quite as well, but when you analyze them, they do, do better than not getting a transplant at all," he said.

There's also research working to grow organs and to use pig organs.

"Those are the two areas that are going to, I think, solve the organ donation problem," Metzger said.

Until then, the Woolery family has their own plans.

"To educate people. To explain how organ donation works and the importance of it," Faye said.

With their nonprofit group Kidney Kids, they're on their way.

In other transplant news, new recommendations by the American Heart Association put out in July could increase the number of hearts for transplant by accepting hearts with minor defects that can be repaired. Less invasive surgery to take organs from living donors has also helped increase the number of organs for transplant.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Carol Rumsey
Marketing Manager, TransLife
N. Orange Ave., Suite 40
Orlando, FL 32804
(407) 303-2474
carol.rumsey@translife.org
http://www.translife.org

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