Importance of Organ Donation
Understanding Transplantation
A Brief History
In 1954, a kidney was the first human organ to be transplanted successfully. Liver, heart, and pancreas transplants were successfully performed by the late 1960s, while lung and intestinal organ transplant procedures began in the 1980s.Until the early 1980s, the potential for organ rejection limited the number of transplants performed. Medical advances in the prevention and treatment of rejection led to more successful transplants and an increase in demand.
More than 500,000 people have received transplants in the U.S. More than 28,000 Americans receive the gift of life each year.
The Need Is Real: Data Each day, an average of 79 people receive organ transplants. However, an average of 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can 't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.
Organ transplantation has become an accepted medical treatment for end-stage organ failure. The facts prove it. But only you can help make it happen.
Statistics can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to understand. One thing to remember is that every number in the statistic you view is a person, a person who either needs your help and is waiting for a lifesaving transplant or a person who has left a lasting legacy through organ and tissue donation. Either way each number represents a life, a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister or a child, someone who is important to someone else, maybe even you.
Statistics change. Some change day to day and some can even change minute to minute. So you may see different numbers each time you return to organdonor.gov or some of the other sites linked from here. You may ask why this happens. There are several reasons.
One of the most confusing statistics is the number of persons waiting for a transplant. Patients are allowed to register at multiple transplant centers so you may see a higher number if you count "registrations" rather than "candidates."
Additionally, one of the
A Brief History
In 1954, a kidney was the first human organ to be transplanted successfully. Liver, heart, and pancreas transplants were successfully performed by the late 1960s, while lung and intestinal organ transplant procedures began in the 1980s.Until the early 1980s, the potential for organ rejection limited the number of transplants performed. Medical advances in the prevention and treatment of rejection led to more successful transplants and an increase in demand.
More than 500,000 people have received transplants in the U.S. More than 28,000 Americans receive the gift of life each year.
The Need Is Real: Data Each day, an average of 79 people receive organ transplants. However, an average of 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can 't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.
Organ transplantation has become an accepted medical treatment for end-stage organ failure. The facts prove it. But only you can help make it happen.
Statistics can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to understand. One thing to remember is that every number in the statistic you view is a person, a person who either needs your help and is waiting for a lifesaving transplant or a person who has left a lasting legacy through organ and tissue donation. Either way each number represents a life, a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister or a child, someone who is important to someone else, maybe even you.
Statistics change. Some change day to day and some can even change minute to minute. So you may see different numbers each time you return to organdonor.gov or some of the other sites linked from here. You may ask why this happens. There are several reasons.
One of the most confusing statistics is the number of persons waiting for a transplant. Patients are allowed to register at multiple transplant centers so you may see a higher number if you count "registrations" rather than "candidates."
Additionally, one of the