Profession
Kidney-transplant waiting list hits all-time high
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 1, 2004
More than 60,000 people in the United States are on the kidney-transplant waiting list, reports the United Network for Organ Sharing.
With kidney failures resulting from diabetes and hypertension, kidneys are the most commonly transplanted and needed organs, UNOS reported. Last year, a record 15,137 kidney transplants were performed, with more than 40% of these involving organs coming from living donors.
"We are seeing encouraging recent increases in organ donation," said UNOS President Robert Metzger, MD, in a news release. "Living donation certainly helps meet the needs of thousands of people each year, but for many more, the only option is to have a transplant from a deceased donor. We can all help meet their needs by making and sharing a commitment to become an organ and tissue donor."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/11/01/prbf1101.htm.