Transplant Recipients

PAYING FORWARD

As a liver transplant recipient, I think it is safe to say that all, or most, of my fellow organ recipients have a desire to pay forward for the incredible gift of life they have received as a result of the compassion of an organ donor. In my case, I have been inspired by the decision of a family of complete strangers to donate the organs of their loved one. A decision that saved my life and the life of several others. My transplant experience has raised my consciousness level concerning the number of people who are desperately waiting for life saving organ transplants, and I realized that I could do something to help educate our communities about organ donation and transplantation, and increase organ donation. In the more than seven years since my transplant I have met hundreds of organ recipients who advocate for organ donation in a multitude of ways, including run walks, state and world transplant games, sharing of stories with media, and more, all based on a desire to pay forward out of gratitude for a second chance at life made possible by the grace of God and the compassion of organ donors and organ donor families.

Leslie Franklin

OPO's

ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE U.S.

 

http://organdonor.gov/materialsresources/materialsopolist.html

Empathy

Those of us who, due to illness or other factors, have been under the care of others, understand how important empathy and compassion are to recovery. These caretakers have learned to put themselves in the shoes of those in need of care, and as a result have not only helped facilitate the healing process, but have also been the recipient of much joy and happiness as a result of their compassion and empathy. Many philosophers and psychiatrists, including the Dalai Lama, believe that compassion and empathy are the keys to happiness. Watch this compelling video for insight into the power of compassion and empathy for others:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8&feature=youtu.be

Transplant Waiting List

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2015/09/23/The-psychological-impacts-of-being-on-a-transplant-waiting-list/stories/201509230036

Living Donation

LIVING ORGAN DONATION


http://livingdonationcalifornia.org/news-release-100-direct-referrals/

Immunosuppression

Organ Transplant Recipients & Immunosuppression

When we receive an organ transplant, our body's natural defenses does not recognize that new organ and treats it as an enemy, attacking it, as it does any foreign object that enters our body. As such, immunosuppressant medication is prescribed to block the effect of our natural defenses. The following article provides further information concerning this topic: 

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/organ-transplants-antirejection-medicines-topic-overview

Living Organ Donation

LIVING ORGAN DONATION

Due to the critical shortage of organs donated by deceased donors, there is not enough available organs to meet the needs of people awaiting organ transplants. One solution to this problem is living organ donation. This is possible because certain organs are able to either regenerate themselves, or continue to function well when a section is removed.

Throughout the country transplant teams have developed new techniques and procedures to save patients lives through living donor transplants. Living donations are handled by each individual transplant center where the recipient is waiting. It is currently possible for a living person to donate:
* A Kidney
* A portion of the Liver
* A lobe of the Lung
* A portion of the Intestine
* A portion of the Pancreas

Currently, living organ donors account for almost half (49%) of all organ donation in the U.S.  The following link will provide further information about living organ donation and how you can become a living donor:

 

http://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/about-transplant/living-donation/becoming-a-living-donor/