Transplant 101

Non-Living Kidney Donation

Transplant 101 &
Non-Living Kidney Donation

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Kidney Transplant Facts †

  • Thousands of people receive kidney transplants every year, yet 13 people die every day waiting for a kidney because of the critical shortage of donors.
  • Since 1988, more than 133,000 living kidney donors have given the Gift of Life.
  • The median wait time for an individual’s first kidney transplant is 3.6 years.
  • The number of patients waiting for a kidney increases by 3,000 each month.
  • Long delays can affect transplant success; worse, waiting patients’ health can deteriorate, disqualifying them from receiving a transplant.
  • The number of Living Kidney Donors has increased by 240% over the past 25 years.

†Information provided by United Network for Organ Sharing, www.UNOS.org; National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org

Non-Living Kidney Donation

A non-living kidney donor means that after you have passed away, a doctor can remove your kidneys for transplant purposes. Ninety percent of Americans say they support organ donation, but only 33% actually take the steps necessary to be a donor.

Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at a healthy, productive, normal life – kids can fully attend school and participate in extracurricular activities, adults can return to work, school, parenting and taking an active part in their communities.

Organ donation takes healthy organs from one person and transplants them into another. All potential organ donors should also let their family know their wishes.  Thousands of people receive organ transplants every year — and thousands more anxiously await their turn. It is important to share your decision with your family or loved one, so that the required consent can be given when the time comes.

The Erma Bombeck Project promotes the benefits of organ and tissue donation and raises awareness about the three most important steps to take:

  1. Decide to be an organ donor.
  2. Share your decision with your family or loved one, who will be contacted in a medical emergency.
  3. Visit the Donate Life America website at www.DonateLife.net to learn more and register, or call (804) 377-3580.