As April comes to a close, we want to remember the importance of this month; It’s National Donate Life Month. In the United States, every nine minutes someone joins the national transplant waiting list. Unfortunately, every day in the United States, 17 people on that list pass away waiting for an organ. It’s truly a sad statistic, but there is hope, thanks to organ donors.
Living donation is a transplant option that can reduce wait times on the transplant waiting list and save lives with those who are in end-stage liver or kidney failure. The liver has the unique ability to regrow in just a few months, giving both the donor and the recipient a fully functioning liver. In addition, we may be born with two kidneys, but our body is capable of living with only one, giving a fighting chance to a patient in need.
One final statistic, on average, 1 in 4 living donors are not biologically related to the recipient. You don’t have to be related to someone to help those in need. You have the power to save a life while you’re still alive and truly change someone’s life, even if it’s someone you don’t know.
For additional information on organ donation or to find out how you can become a living donor, please check out the UPMC website here.