Organs for TransplantsThousands of lives depend on receiving organs and tissues for transplant, but there is a severe and ongoing shortage of donor organs. Currently, there are more than 123,000 people in the United States that are waiting for an organ. Every 12 minutes one more person is added to the national waiting list. Each of these people our in desperate need of either a kidney, liver, heart, or other organs. About 21 people die a day waiting for a transplant or before an organ becomes available to them, that is more than 6,500 people a year. This is why it is important to become an organ donor.
TISSUE FOR TRANSPLANT A person has the ability to donate a variety of tissues. Much like organ donation, tissue donation can dramatically change someone’s quality of life or save someone’s life. Corneas Corneas help to restore sight to those who are/become blind or who have suffered trauma to the eye. Bone/Tendon Bone and tendon transplants can help a patient avoid amputation of their bones or tendons that have been affected by trauma, tumors or infection. Heart Valves A donated heart valve can restore heart function. Heart valves transplanted into a patient’s body can grow with that patient's, enabling them to avoid additional surgeries. Vein/Artery Transplantation of veins and arteries into a transplant recipient’s body during coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients that are suffering with diabetes, a transplanted vein or artery can restore blood flow to a limb is not receiving enough blood, thereby avoiding the need for future amputation. Skin Patient who is suffering with burns or trauma can greatly benefit from skin transplants, the newly donated skin can protect the body from infection and promote healing. Donated skin can also be used to repair cleft palates or for mastectomy reconstruction. |
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