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#41
Living Donation in the News / India: Role of agents in livin...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:57:05 PM
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Aug/29/role-of-agents-in-living-organ-donations-a-concern-kovalam-mla-vincent

Role of agents in living organ donations a concern
Kovalam MLA M Vincent acknowledged the presence of an 'organ mafia' involved in living organ donation, during the launch of the Organ Foundation of Kerala (ORFOK), a charitable trust supporting organ transplant recipients, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
The Kovalam MLA admitted the role of agents in exploiting poor individuals, especially in the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram. He highlighted the difficulties MLAs face when certifying affidavits for the living donor process.
"There is a mafia involved in living organ donation. We understand the risks in certifying documents, but we are left with few options to save a patient's life," Vincent said.
He suggested that the government should provide jobs to donors or their families to prevent the financial exploitation surrounding organ donation.
Earlier, the MLAs had called for simplifying the procedures for living organ donations in the state, in the Legislative Assembly.
However, health experts pointed out that these rules were introduced after reports of vulnerable populations, including single mothers, being lured into donating their organs for monetary gain.
Dr Basil Saju, Joint Director of K-SOTTO, stated that living donation procedures have been made more stringent to protect vulnerable individuals.
He also recommended that provisions should be made to ensure the health and safety of living donors.
Health experts at the event emphasised the importance of following global ethical standards in organ donation.
#44
Living Donation in the News / A living legacy: Donors who gi...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:53:21 PM
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-living-legacy-donors-who-give-hope-and-healing/

A living legacy: Donors who give hope and healing
Carey Stanton
August 29, 2025

[event with video]
#45
Living Donation in the News / Global variation in living don...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:49:08 PM
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1600613525002023

Global variation in living donor liver transplantation practices impacts donor and recipient short-term outcomes: Initial insights from the International LDLT Registry
The LDLTregistry.org Collaborative

American Journal of Transplantation
Volume 25, Issue 8, August 2025, Pages 1735-1745

Abstract
Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is crucial for addressing organ scarcity and improving survival and quality of life. Variations in practices and outcomes are influenced by geographic, economic, and cultural factors. This study examined the association between short-term LDLT outcomes and the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite metric ranking countries by life expectancy, education, and income. Data from September 2023 to June 2024 were prospectively collected through the International LDLT Registry, involving 70 institutions from 26 countries. This prospective global cohort included 1575 pairs (3150 cases). Donors from very high HDI regions had a higher prevalence of comorbidities (17.4%) than those from low HDI regions (1.2%; P < .001). Very high HDI regions showed lower donor complication rates (9.8%) than lower HDI regions (21.9%; P < .001). Multivariable analysis indicated significantly reduced short-term postoperative donor morbidity in very high HDI regions (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.44; P < .001). Failure-to-rescue rates were substantially higher in low HDI regions (83.3% vs 2.3%; P < .001). The study highlights the significant disparities in LDLT practices and short-term outcomes across HDI levels, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to standardize practices and enhance care quality to ensure equitable access to liver transplantation worldwide.
#46
Living Donation in the News / Renal Transplantation in Older...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:45:38 PM
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40472-024-00438-4

Renal Transplantation in Older Adults, an Updated Review   Open access[/color]   Published: 23 August 2024[/color]   Volume 11, pages 153–159, (2024)Matthew W. Black, et al.
Current Transplantation Reports

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The purpose of this paper will be to review the most recent literature regarding renal transplantation in an older population. We aim to bring the reader up to date on this topic, and see what challenges are posed by transplanting this ever increasing population.
Recent Findings
Renal transplantation in older adults is a continually evolving field. We review outcomes for older patients in remaining on dialysis, outcomes with living donors, outcomes vs younger patients, readmission, frailty, quality of life, immunosuppressant management, and our own centers experience.
Summary
We show, through various papers, that outcomes for older adults are better with receiving a kidney transplant than staying on dialysis. Outcomes for older recipients vs younger recipients are also acceptable, especially when one factors in death censored graft survival. Older patients also require special consideration to keep their readmission rate low, balance their immunosuppressant requirements, and correctly evaluate their frailty.
#47
Living Donation in the News / Long-Term Outcomes of Living K...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:41:36 PM
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395056053_Long-Term_Outcomes_of_Living_Kidney_Donors_Left_with_Multiple_Renal_Arteries_A_Retrospective_Cohort_Study_from_a_Single_Center

Long-Term Outcomes of Living Kidney Donors Left with Multiple Renal Arteries: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Single Center
Thomas Kurz, et al.


Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM)
August 202514(17):6121
DOI:10.3390/jcm14176121

Abstract
Background: The presence of multiple renal arteries (MRAs) is a common anatomical variant in living kidney donors. While MRAs are not considered a contraindication to donation, it remains uncertain whether leaving the donor with a kidney containing MRAs affects long-term outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate renal and clinical outcomes in donors based on the vascular anatomy of the remnant kidney. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of living kidney donors who underwent nephrectomy at our institution between 2011 and 2016. Donors were categorized according to the vascular anatomy of the remaining kidney: single renal artery (SRA) vs. multiple renal arteries (MRAs). Data on renal function, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular events were collected at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome was long-term renal function, which was measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes included clinical comorbidities and postoperative complications. Results: Among 190 donors, 132 had a remaining kidney with a single artery and 58 had MRAs. Over a median follow-up of 89.5 months (SRA) and 74.5 months (MRA), there were no significant differences in eGFR (SRA: 66 mL/min vs. MRA: 65 mL/min, p = 0.60), serum creatinine (p = 0.86), or the incidence of hypertension (31.8% vs. 34.5%, p = 0.35). Rates of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular events were similarly low and comparable between groups. Conclusions: Living kidney donors left with a remnant kidney containing multiple renal arteries have similar long-term renal function and clinical outcomes as those with a single renal artery. These findings support the feasibility of MRA retention in donor selection and contribute to evidence-based surgical planning and donor counseling.
#48
Living Donation in the News / Outcomes and motivations in un...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:32:50 PM
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1600613525001509?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news

Outcomes and motivations in unspecified (nondirected altruistic) kidney donation: Results from a United Kingdom prospective cohort study
Hannah Maple, et al.
American Journal of Transplantation
Available online 28 March 2025
In Press, Corrected Proof

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2025.03.021

Abstract
Unspecified kidney donors (UKDs) increase the number of high-quality kidneys available for transplantation. This study aimed to determine whether the practice was acceptable, based on the noninferiority of donor physical and psychosocial outcomes when compared to specified kidney donors (SKDs). This longitudinal, prospective cohort study investigated potential living kidney donors from across all 23 UK adult kidney transplant centers. Participants completed validated questionnaires at 4 time points (recruitment, 2-4 weeks predonation, 3- and 12-months postdonation). Clinical outcome data were collected from National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Three hundred seventy-three (of 837 recruited; 45.7%) went on to donate (November 2016 to January 2021). There were no differences in donation rates (204 SKDs [54.7%] vs 169 UKDs [45.3%]; P = .944). Both groups reported being motivated by the desire to help someone (P = .157). Tests for noninferiority indicated that UKDs do no worse than SKDs on psychosocial or clinical outcomes over 12 months, and costs are similar (P > .05). This is the world's largest prospective observational study comparing SKDs and UKDs. It demonstrates no differences in primary motivation, donation rates, regret, cost, or psychosocial and physical outcomes. These data should reassure transplant professionals and potential donors and can bolster confidence in the practice around the world.
#49
Living Donation Forum / September 2025 Living Donor An...
Last post by Clark - September 01, 2025, 01:21:22 PM
https://livingdonorsonline.org/donor-experiences/donation-anniversaries/

Can you believe it? Twenty-five years ago, Michael had a great idea! He had questions about his health as a living kidney donor and there weren't ready answers to be found. There was no way to find other living donors he could talk to about his experiences, feelings, and questions. He started livingdonorsonline.org, has kept it going, and we've done our best to help him since. We try to keep it full of useful, easy to find, accurate information for living organ donors, donor candidates on the path to donation, recipients and would be recipients, family members, transplant professionals, media, and interested members of the general public. We've expanded on to multiple platforms over time, but maintained our presence here as our primary source. Thank you, Michael, for decades of invaluable service!

As we do often here, we celebrate and commiserate with folks who've offered reminders of their situations from years past on our anniversary calendar, linked above. So many gifts given, in hope and trust, so many lives changed for the better. Thank you all, reading this, for your interest. Have questions for those of us who've done it? Ask away!

Take good care, all!

Thirty-fourth anniversary:
Lee donated a kidney to his father on September 11th, 1991

Thirty-second anniversary:
Rory Eckmann donated part of his liver to his niece, Megan, on September 7th, 1993

Twenty-fifth anniversary of LDO! and:
Cindy Leuty Jones donated a kidney to her brother on September 20th, 2000

Twenty-fourth anniversary:
Becky Bailey donated a kidney to her daughter, Brittney, on September 5th, 2001
Christine donated a kidney to a stranger on September 13th, 2001
Suzanne Hunter donated a kidney to her son, Ian, on September 17th, 2001. The graft failed four years later and Ian has been back on dialysis.
Marcia Pitlor donated a kidney to her brother on September 18th, 2001
Irene Lewis donated a kidney to her husband's ex's daughter on September 19th, 2001

Twenty-third anniversary:
The Reverend Ronda L. Hawkins donated a kidney to one of her parishioners on September 4th, 2002[/font]
Brandi Wittman donated a kidney to a co-worker on September 25th, 2002
Wendy Miller donated a kidney to her sister on September 25th, 2002
Joe Zangara donated a kidney to his mother, Audrey, on September 30th, 2002

Twenty-second anniversary:
Howard donated a kidney to his brother on September 3rd, 2003
Beth Wilson donated a kidney to her mother, Lola, on September 16th, 2003
Clay donated a kidney to a stranger on September 26th, 2003
Christopher Yanakos donated part of his liver to his mother on September 28th, 2003

Twenty-first anniversary:
Joyce A. Falsey donated a kidney to a stranger on September 7th, 2004
Emalene Englestad donated a kidney to her sister-in-law on September 9th, 2004
Nancy Foster donated part of her l[/font]iver to her brother on September 13th, 2004
Debbie Petway donated a kidney to her father, Melvin, on September 21st, 2004
Shelby Humberg Richardson donated a kidney to her brother on September 22nd, 2004

Twentieth anniversary:
Chaya Lipschutz donated a kidney to a stranger in September 2005
Cindy Fox donated part of her liver to her husband, Victor, on September 1st, 2005
Jenn donated a kidney to her brother on September 20th, 2005
Lisa Branting donated a kidney to her best friend's husband on September 25th, 2005
Suzanne Weiner donated a kidney to a friend on September 26th, 2005
Lillie donated a kidney to an unrelated recipient on September 27th, 2005
Rose Crawford donated a kidney to her brother on September 30th, 2005

Nineteenth anniversary:
Janice Kost donated a kidney to her nephew on September 5th, 2006
Christina Dobosiewicz donated a kidney to her stepfather, John Fattorusso, now deceased,  [/font]on September 6th, 2006
Kelvin Hockstock do[/font]nated a kidney to his wife on September 8th, 2006
Kathie Jackson donated a kidney to Ken Singer, no relation, on September 26th, 2006
Malkah Buchweitz donated a kidney to her brother on September 28th, 2006

Eighteenth anniversary:
Kimberly Hill donated a kidney to her brother, Tim Edgar, on September 5th, 2007
Kim Alice donated a kidney to her stepfather on September 12th, 2007
Ray Vidic donated a kidney to his friend, Troy Kahklen, on September 13th, 2007
Stacey Canas donated a kidney to her best friend's mom on September 13th, 2007
Gabrielle Benson donated a kidney to her husband on September 24th, 2007

Seventeenth anniversary:
Ailey donated a kidney to a church associate on September 16th, 2008
Carmen Spanglers donated a kidney to her friend's husband on September 22nd, 2008
Diane donated a kidney to her brother-in-law, Mark, on September 23rd, 2008
Margaret Florence donated a kidney to her cousin on September 23rd, 2008
Krystal Star Garcia donated a kidney to her husband, Manuel, on September 24th, 2008
Jill Andahazy donated a kidney to her husband's cousin Katie on September 25th, 2008
Carla Giampaglia donated a kidney to an unrelated person on September 26th, 2008
Angi Kaltenbach donated a kidney to a friend on September 30th, 2008
Jeff Hill donated a kidney to Eric Miller on September 30th, 2008
Tammy Stickney donated a kidney to her father on September 30th, 2008

Sixteenth anniversary:
Tom Stalsitz donated a kidney to his friend, Joseph R. Brugger, on September 4th, 2009
Cathleen Aliberti donated part of her liver to her sister, Maureen Manning, on September 9th, 2009
Melissa Foskett Goleno donated a piece of her liver to her then 12 year old niece on September 10th, 2009
Leonard Spogis donated part of his liv[/font]er to his brother-in-law, Michael Olson, on September 23rd, 2009
Terri O'Brien donated her left kidney to her cousin's wife on September 29th, 2009

Fifteenth anniversary:
Julie Coronel donated a kidney to her husband, Ruben, on September 7th, 2010
Brett Hartmann donated a kidney to a friend's son on September 18th, 2010
Andria donated a kidney to her son, Daniel, on September 28th, 2010
George Taniwaki made a non-directed kidney donation on September 10th 2010

Fourteenth anniversary:
Michelle Wortman donated a kidney to her sister on September 1st, 2011
Jeff Smith made a non-directed kidney donation  on September 5th, 2011
Tori Neese Bergstrom donated "Billy the Kidney" to her friend on September 6th, 2011
Angela Stimpson became a non-directed kidney donor on September 22nd, 2011

Thirteenth anniversary:
Pam donated part of her liver to her brother, Edwin Dudley, on September 4th, 2012
Sue donated a kidney to her husband, Jeff, on September 4th, 2012
Sara Stallings donated a kidney to her son, Mac Yeida, on September 12th, 2012
Dawn donated a kidney to her daughter, Mandy, on September 27th, 2012

Twelfth anniversary:
Brian Hartung donated a kidney to his brother, Brad, on September 9th, 2013
Sally Obrien donated a kidney to her friend, Sally Busset, on September 18th, 2013
Patty Hogan Jack donated part of her liver to her sister on September 24th, 2013
Terry Hunter made a non-directed kidney donation on September 30th, 2013

Tenth anniversary:
Julianne Bancroft made a non-directed kidney donation on September 16th, 2015
Archie White donated a kidney to his daughter, Carrie, on September 30th, 2015

Ninth anniversary:
Susan Huizenga donated a kidney to Buddi Subba, found through their church bulletin, on September 12th, 2016
Natasha Richards donated a kidney to her step-father, Bernardo Bermudez, on September 20th, 2016

Sixth anniversary:
Constance M. Smith made a non-directed donation to Connie Cull on September 27th 2019

Second anniversary:
Julee Morrissy donated a kidney to one of her best friends, Brian Chilla, on September 5th, 2023

#50
Living Donation in the News / National Attitudes Toward Livi...
Last post by Clark - August 26, 2025, 11:11:11 AM
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590059523002066

National Attitudes Toward Living Kidney Donation in the United States: Results of a Public Opinion Survey
Katya Kaplow, et al.
Kidney Medicine
Volume 6, Issue 3,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100788

Rationale & Objective
Understanding national attitudes about living kidney donation will enable us to identify and address existing disincentives to living kidney donation. We performed a national survey to describe living kidney donation perceptions, perceived factors that affect the willingness to donate, and analyzed differences by demographic subgroups.
Study Design
The survey items captured living kidney donation awareness, living kidney donation knowledge, willingness to donate, and barriers and facilitators to living kidney donation.
Setting & Population
We surveyed 802 US adults (aged 25-65 years) in June 2021, randomly selected from an online platform with diverse representation.
Analytical Approach
We developed summed, scaled indices to assess the association between the living kidney donation knowledge (9 items) and the willingness to donate (8 items) to self-reported demographic characteristics and other variables of interest using analysis of variance. All other associations for categorical questions were calculated using Pearson's χ2 and Fisher exact tests. We inductively evaluated free-text responses to identify additional barriers and facilitators to living kidney donation.
Results
Most (86.6%) of the respondents reported that they might or would definitely consider donating a kidney while they were still living. Barriers to living kidney donation included concerns about the risk of the surgery, paying for medical expenses, and potential health effects. Facilitators to living kidney donation included having information on the donation surgery's safety, knowing that the donor would not have to pay for medical expenses related to the donation, and hearing living kidney donation success stories. Awareness of the ability to participate in kidney-paired donation was associated with a higher willingness to donate.
Limitations
Potential for selection bias resulting from the use of survey panels and varied incentive amounts, and measurement error related to respondents' attention level.
Conclusions
Most people would consider becoming a living kidney donor. Increased rates of living kidney donation may be possible with investment in culturally competent educational interventions that address risks associated with donating, policies that reduce financial disincentives, and communication campaigns that raise awareness of kidney-paired donation and living kidney donation.
Plain-Language Summary
Understanding what the general public thinks about living kidney donation will help to develop better education and increase the number of living kidney donors. We surveyed the public to find out: (1) how aware they are about the opportunity to donate a kidney while alive; (2) how much they know about living kidney donation; (3) whether they would be willing to donate; and (4) what would affect their willingness to donate. We found that teaching people about the risks of donating, decreasing costs related to donation, and raising awareness about it could increase the number of people willing to donate.
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