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Diversity
Mayo Clinic: Last year, a colleague of mine was diagnosed with kidney disease. He currently undergoes dialysis three times a week while waiting for a kidney transplant. He shared his desire to obtain a living donor, and he explained that there will be longer wait times because there are not as many diverse people registering as organ donors. Could you please explain why and what I can do?
answer:
According to reports, more than 103,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant. Organ Procurement and Transplant Network.Approximately 60% of people transplant waiting list I come from a minority community.
Ethnic minority communities have higher rates of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, which contribute to increased kidney failure.Approximately 89,000 people are waiting kidney transplant.
Organs are not matched based on race or ethnicity, but certain criteria must be matched, such as blood type or certain antibodies, to find compatible organs. People from different ethnic groups have better outcomes when organs are donated by someone from a similar background.
In general, the wait time to receive a deceased donor kidney in the United States varies by region, but can range from three years to up to 10 years. Only about 30% of donor organs come from people of color, reducing the likelihood of diverse organ availability.
So, unfortunately, your colleague is right that if you’re waiting for a deceased donor, you’re likely going to have a longer wait for a transplant.find living kidney donor In many cases, porting is the faster method.
Kidney donation is the most common type of living donor transplant. The donor provides one of two healthy kidneys to the recipient. A person only needs one kidney to live a healthy and active life. In 2022, he saved more than 6,400 lives thanks to the generosity of living donors. Please donate to Life America.
However, there is a long-standing mistrust of the medical community among certain minorities, and many myths about the organ donation process are widespread, making people less likely to become organ donors.
Questions frequently asked by patients include:
Myth: If I agreed to donate my organs when I die, hospital staff would not work as hard to save my life.
fact: When an organ donor is hospitalized, they receive care like any other person. When you go to the hospital for treatment, your medical team will focus on providing you life-saving care until your injury or condition is determined to be irreversible. The transplant team will not become involved until your condition is determined to be nonviable.
Myth: Organ and tissue donors cannot open the casket and hold a funeral.
fact: The donor’s body is treated with care and respect. And they are dressed for burial. No one will know that they donated their organs or tissues.
mythology: I’m too old to donate. No one will want my organs.
fact: There is no set age limit for organ donation. The decision to use an organ is based on strict medical criteria, not age. Don’t disqualify yourself prematurely. At the time of your death, your doctor will determine whether your organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation.
Myth: If I donate my organs after death, my family will be charged with a crime.
fact: The organ donor’s family never pays for the donation. Once you are determined to be a potential donor, your donor’s family will pay all medical costs. Families may consider these costs to be the cost of organ donation. However, people who obtain organs for transplantation pay for the organ to be removed.
Myth: Becoming a living donor is time-consuming and expensive.
Fact: Anyone interested in becoming a living donor must: You will undergo an online screening and detailed physical and psychological evaluation process to ensure you are a suitable candidate for donation. The recipient’s insurance will always cover the cost. However, there are several programs available to compensate potential donors for lost time at work or school, and to help with travel and dependent care costs. Once a donor is approved, the time frame is up to the donor, recipient, and their respective care teams.
Myth: Becoming a living donor will shorten your lifespan.
Fact: Most healthy people can survive with just one kidney. We expect the person to live a full and normal life after donating. Mayo Clinic has living donors who have accomplished amazing athletic feats, including climbing Kilimanjaro, running marathons, and giving birth to children.
Myth: As a living donor, I will have to take medication for the rest of my life.
fact: Living donors do not require long-term medication after donation.
mythology: I can only be a living donor if I am compatible with someone.
fact: If you have a relative or friend who wants to be a donor but turns out to be unsuitable, you can still donate as part of your donation. paired kidney donation chain. This process allows her two or more donors to be matched with appropriate recipients in an exchange.
You can help your colleagues by sharing information about organ donation and encouraging others, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to consider becoming donors. That is truly the gift of life.going to Donate to Life America For more information on signing up to become an organ donor, please visit our website. —Dr. Shennen MaoMayo Clinic, Transplant Center, Jacksonville, FL.
