People with diabetes can develop kidney damage, in which they must have a transplant from a donor. But research suggests that having a kidney and pancreas transplant may be the best bet. A double transplant “offers the chance of curing not only the kidney disease but also the underlying diabetes.”
However, it’s very difficult to get a pancreas transplant, since it requires a donation from a recently deceased individual. Research concluded, however, that “after 7 years, survival rates of patients given a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant was 88.6 percent, significantly higher than the 80.0 percent with a living-donor kidney …read more

Since such a large number of people don’t sign organ donation cards or place themselves on a registry, healthcare personnel find themselves in the position of having to ask shocked and grieving families about their wishes.
This is a difficult task for people who aren’t trained or well-prepared for the role.
According to a press release issued by the BMJ ,
A recent audit of 341 deaths in intensive care units in the UK revealed that 41% of relatives of potential donors denied consent. In an interview study a third of relatives who had refused donation said that they would not refuse …read more

Millions of people around the world belong to and hold true to religion and beliefs of a higher power, be it more mainstream like Catholocism or lesser known, like Morovian. Living by the rules of your Church and your beliefs may help make it easier to make decisions about how you live your life and manage your death. Unfortunately though, many people don’t have a full understanding of their own religion and what their stands are on various issues.
A good example is that of the Jehovah Witnesses. We know and understand that Jehovah Witnesses are forbidden to take blood transfusions …read more

If you’ve ever had a question on organ donation or transplantation, chances are you may find it here in these 10 FAQs on donations and transplantations.
1- When was the first successful organ transplant done?
On December 23, 1954, Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the first successful solid organ transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, MA. The kidney was given by Ronald Herrick and transplanted into his identical twin, Richard Herrick.
2- When was the first successful heart transplant?
In 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard, in South Africa, …read more

Reporting on and reading about/listening to/watching human tragedy unfold is as old as the hills. We like to think that it’s in the interest of being informed, of being educated, of seeking ways to improve life. But is it? Or is it more sinister? Is it more a way of seeing how we feel about how others are doing things, of feeling superior, of thinking we would never have to make decisions or live through what others are?
I’m taking you back to the sad story of Kaylee Wallace and Lillian O’Connor once again (A transplant planned, a transplant not done …read more

What do organ donation and You Tube have in common? You Tube is a wonderful way to help spread the word and to share stories. Why not check out what Donate Life Illinois has done with their “I Heart” campaign, and videos made in response. Just click on the TV screen below to watch:

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Image: iStock

I’d like you to meet Alexis and the legacy she left behind when she left this world at the age of 16 years old. She’ll never be forgotten because of her gift of life to others, and the hard work her family does in order to provide help to the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA).
This was sent to me by Mandy Porta, who is married to Alexis’ brother:

A Child Lost Motivates a Family to Promote Organ Donor Awareness
It’s that time of year again when the Porta family is busily working to promote the gift of life in memory of Alexis …read more

Many times, if you ask someone why they won’t agree to be an organ donor, you learn from them that their main reason is really not a reason: it’s a myth. Why myths are perpetuated is likely through fear. You hear something that frightens you and you pass it on. Some people don’t believe it and others do and will pass it on some more. But what are the myths about organ donation?
1-  I’m too young, not yet 18, so I can’t consent.
While you are too young to sign consent to be an organ donor, if you’ve discussed this with …read more

So many stories about transplants really tug at your heart, but ones that include children and babies can be incredibly poignant. When I put out an appeal to speak to people about organ transplants, I was contacted by Ed Weir. He told me his story of their 1-month-old daughter, Rachel. Rachel died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 22 years ago. Most often when a child dies of SIDS, the child is discovered too late for their organs to be used in transplantation. In this case, Rachel’s death was discovered immediately. And because of that, many other children were saved …read more

The decision’s been made. The documents have been signed. Your loved one has been wheeled into the operating room for one last time as other medical teams work to notify potential recipients across the transplant network with the news: An organ has been found.
While this may seem to be the end of the transplant story from the donor’s family point of view, it’s not. It’s the beginning of another journey and one that they don’t have to travel alone. There’s help and support as they get through the next part of their life.
Jill Halimi is a Family Services Coordinator, one …read more