https://www.rwjbh.org/blog/2025/june/inside-the-or-students-witness-a-living-donor-ki/


[/size]Inside the OR: Students Witness a Living Donor Kidney Transplant Live from Liberty Science Center[

As a part of a 20-year partnership, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) and Liberty Science Center, teamed up to give students from different high schools across New Jersey and New York an unforgettable lesson that took learning beyond the classroom, and into the operating room.[/font]


[/size]Liberty Science Center's "Live from Surgery" program offers high schoolers a front-row seat to a living donor kidney transplant, streamed in real-time from CBMC. From observing Stuart R. Geffner, MD, Chairman and Surgeon-in-Chief of the Department of Surgery at CBMC, at work, to holding replica surgical tools, the program turns anatomy class into an immersive, career-inspiring experience.


[/size]"We have been doing this program for approximately 20 years, and livestream about 15 to 16 times during a school year. It is an absolutely spectacular program for the kids, for the science center, and our team at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center," Dr. Geffner shared.


[/size]The Science Behind the Surgery
[/size]The surgery features a living donor kidney transplant, a procedure in which a healthy person donates one of their kidneys to someone suffering from kidney failure. Multiple cameras in two operating rooms and in the operative fields provide students with an unparalleled view of live surgery.


[/size]"What makes this experience so special is that it is completely live and interactive, the kids see exactly what I see during the course of the surgery," explained Dr. Geffner. "Over the course of the two-hour program, they see the laparoscopic removal of the donor kidney, they see us preparing the kidney on the back table, and then they see us implanting the kidney into the recipient. The students have microphones and can ask questions directly to me during the surgery. I hear them, I have a microphone. I narrate certain steps in the procedure and answer their questions in real time."


[/size]In addition to explaining anatomy, Dr. Geffner and his team provide the students with take home messages about the importance of tissue and organ donation and the importance of healthy lifestyle habits to help prevent diabetes and high blood pressure, two factors that could contribute to heart disease and kidney failure.


[/size]Anatomy in Action
[/size]Alejandro Melendez, Senior Director of STEM Innovation at Liberty Science Center, who has been involved with the program for 14 years, emphasized how the experience helps students understand the operating room. "Students see that the lessons they get in anatomy and physiology aren't just in textbooks. They are seeing it in real time, seeing that connection between what they read and the diagrams they see being applied into the practice Dr. Geffner does."


[/size]Throughout the event, students were encouraged to ask questions directly to the surgical team, consisting of nurses, physician assistants, and the anesthesiologist, creating a dynamic, two-way learning experience. While some students asked about the tools being used, the length of recovery for patients or what inspired doctors to pursue this path, others asked about retirement age and if a kidney has ever been dropped (it has not).


[/size]The program aligned perfectly with curriculum goals for many attending teachers, including Renee Russo, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Pompton Lakes High School.


[/size]"We've just started covering the urinary system in class," said Renee. "Seeing a kidney transplant live lets them connect everything they've learned with something real. A few students were thinking about careers in nursing and surgery, and this either confirmed their passion, or helped them realize it's not for them, which is also valuable."


[/size]Inspiration and Representation
[/size]For Hazel Slinger, an assistant principal at Mathematics, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School, in New York City, the experience was more than just a science lesson, but a powerful message about representation and opportunity.


[/size]"A lot of our students are Black and Brown," she said. "We want them to see that there are so many job opportunities in the field of science and medicine for them."


[/size]Hazel, who also teaches a biology class, noted how meaningful it was to hear from real professionals and circled back to the answer Dr. Geffner provided when he was asked about his thoughts on retirement. "Listening to the surgeon talk about how he's still excited after 30 years in the OR, and doesn't want to retire, that stuck with my students. It showed them passion can be lifelong."


[/size]The Role of Organ Donation
[/size]The program also highlighted the importance of organ donation, thanks to the presence of the NJ Sharing Network, a key partner in the program. Rudy DiGilio, one of their representatives, shared his story about being a living kidney donor for his brother. He spoke about the donor process, how families are supported, and all the positive effects which result from one person's gift of life.


[/size]Alejandro shared that over the years he has seen students' perception change on organ donation because of this program, and watched some students become real advocates. "A great example is that this past year a group of students saw the program and about a month later got in contact with the NJ Sharing Network to form a Donate Life Club at their school as a result of watching this program."


[/size]A Lasting Impact
[/size]For two decades, CBMC and Liberty Science Center have partnered to bring real world medicine into classrooms igniting curiosity and compassion in future healthcare professionals. Whether they go on to become surgeons, nurses, or advocates, this experience proves the future of science and medicine is already taking shape.


[/size]"I think one of the things 'Live from Surgery' does well is that it gives a good insight into how the beginning, middle, and end of these surgeries take place and hopefully inspire enough students to actually end up in the OR themselves," shares Alejandro.


[/size]Dr. Geffner has seen firsthand the lasting impact of the "Live from Surgery" program. He shared, "We've had students who watched this program years ago and are now our colleagues, working as physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and gone on to successful careers in healthcare," he shared.


[/size]One of those former students is Erin Gutkind, now a physician assistant on the transplant team at CBMC. As a high schooler she attended the program and watched Dr. Geffner perform the same surgery that she is a part of now.


[/size]"At that point I knew I wanted to go into the medical field but wasn't exactly sure in which direction," Erin recalled. "Seeing the operating room and witnessing the teamwork and purpose behind it all inspired me. And here we are, quite a few years later."


[/size]Stories like Erin's reinforce the importance of this experience. "It is a really important program to us," said Dr. Geffner. "We hope it continues to inspire students to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare, and to encourage thoughtful conversations about organ donation."

Dear Michael,


  Thank you! And thanks for your responses here and the link to the 2003 proposal and all its public comments, including yours! I recall seeing this when it came out two years ago, and feeling exhausted that we still seemed to be on square one about this nearly 20 years since the Istanbul Declaration! I take responsibility again to see if we can make some real progress soon.


  Beats me why we can't solve this with MyChart/HIPPA compliant electronic record sharing. Nothing extra needs to be entered by anyone at any time, what records are entered become part of the candidates' records for all authorized caregivers. Deidentified data can be pulled as contracted by SRTR/LDC without any extra time or cost to others, especially not the donor or deferred candidate. It's secure, or at least as secure as anything is, and behind a legally defined privacy shield. No extra staff are required by transplant centers, no mailings, no questionnaires for donors or paper to be interpreted (with errors!) for data entry. It doesn't even matter if the donor/candidate doesn't use MyChart or a competitor, all the medical practioners they come in contact with do.


  Additional, out of the ordinary adverse developments in health or well being that incur out of pocket expense for donors (and candidates?! Someday!) are a separate topic to be addressed: "You broke it, you bought it." CMS as the representative of the federal government and health care? (For covered individuals). What defines "out of the ordinary"? What level of cause and effect relationship, in whose judgement, means it's reimburseable? PCP seems the most appropriate, or referral and consultation with an independent nephrologist and/or urologist and/or psychiatrist (others to consider?).


  The MyChart method even takes care of your two documents, and more, by providing a lifelong archive for the notes related to every visit and procedure, including short term and long term follow up suggestions for better outcomes, though users who don't pay attention or log in to see them will be relying on the PCP to lecture them if they're non-compliant. Transplant centers can even outsource 6, 12, & 24 month follow ups to PCPs if returning to them is onerous for the donors, or just not happening. That actually might address "lost" donors, they can't be lost unless they stop seeing any practitioner anywhere. In the US, anyway. International donors remain a serious potential problem for transplant centers.


  Great to be discussing these topics with you again!

Congratulations, John. It's great to know living donors have an advocate like you on the Board for the next four years!

As I think about what living donors would like to see from the transplant system through OPTN policies, there are three topics that come to mind right now:

1. Adoption of OPTN's proposal, "Concepts for a Collaborative Approach to Living Donor Data Collection": https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/policies-bylaws/public-comment/concepts-for-a-collaborative-approach-to-living-donor-data-collection/ This policy would facilitate creation of a national living donor registry managed by SRTR. The draft proposal had its initial public comment period in September 2023. My understanding is the Living Donor Committee recently adopted an updated version, which will have a public comment period starting in August. This is the closest we've come to having a national registry so we really need help getting this proposal across the goal line. Expect lots of push back from the transplant centers.

2. As you noted, clarifying responsibility for living donors after surgery, especially those with complications. This is a tough one because there is so much subjectivity in medical diagnoses so it can be challenging to assign responsibility. But we know complications can arise even years after donation and transplant centers are notorious for denying responsibility. What if they were mandated to have responsibility so there was no question? The costs could be built into the cost of transplantation, or perhaps Medicare could be modified to be a source of funding for post-surgery care. (I'm sure I don't need to say the current political environment makes this idea extremely challenging.)

3. Asking transplant centers to provide living donors with two documents at the time of discharge. One document is detailed long-term instructions for the donor, including what to expect during recovery, possible short-term and long-term complications and what to do about them, participation in the two-year follow-up exams, suggestions for ongoing long-term monitoring of kidney/liver health, general physical and mental health tips, and additional resources and support. The second document (maybe a letter) would be for the donor to give to his/her primary care physician (PCP) alerting the PCP to donor status, offering suggestions for long-term monitoring (e.g., specific annual biometrics), cautions about using GFR for diagnosing CKD for kidney donors, watching for long-term hernias and gastrointestinal issues for liver donors, etc. I'm working on draft outlines for these two documents now, using frequency of questions posted by living donors in social media to guide the content. I don't expect providing these documents to be mandatory since transplant centers dislike such things so much. Instead, it could be a suggested practice with sample documentation a center could customize for its own purposes, similar to the suggested content for "informed consent."

So, that's what I have for you now. I reserve the right to "ping" you again over the next four years as more living donor issues arise.  ;D

Thanks for all you do!

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041134525001459?via%3Dihub

Early Pre-Emptive Kidney Transplant Does Not Offer Any Mortality Benefits: A Study of Trends in Pre-Emptive Kidney Transplantation Over the Last Two Decades
Abhishek Kumar a, Levi Bonnell b, Sarat Kuppachi cTransplantation Proceedings
Volume 57, Issue 4, May 2025, Pages 538-543
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2025.02.032

ABSTRACT

Background
Pre-emptive kidney transplantation is considered the optimal treatment for end stage kidney disease (ESKD). The aim of the study is to evaluate current state of pre-emptive kidney transplants in the United States with focus on mortality benefit with early pre-emptive transplants.

Methods
Using the United Network of Organ Sharing database, we explored trends in pre-emptive kidney transplantation in first time adult recipients. We created four groups (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 10 mL/min/1.73 m^2, 10 to < 15 mL/min/1.73 m^2, 15 to < 20 mL/min/1.73 m^2, and ≥ 20 mL/min/1.73 m^2) based on the eGFR at the time of transplant. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the difference in mortality and cumulative incidence competing risk (CICR) method was used to compare risk of ESKD among the groups.

Results
Pre-emptive kidney transplant remain at roughly 18% of total kidney transplant (33% were from deceased donors and 67% from living donors). White patients with a higher level of education and with private insurance were most likely to receive pre-emptive kidney transplant. No difference in mortality was found in the four eGFR groups. In a subgroup analysis looking only at recipients of pre-emptive kidney transplant from living donors, no mortality difference was again noted among the four groups.

Conclusions
Pre-emptive kidney transplants continue to favor a select population and remain at low numbers (9% of total deceased donor kidney transplants and 33% of living donor kidney transplants [LDKTs]). Early pre-emptive living donor kidney transplant did not confer a mortality benefit compared to transplantation when eGFR was < 15 mL/min/1.73 m^2.

When they asked if I'd consider being a nominee for the new OPTN Board of Directors, I said yes. And they went and elected me again. For a four year term! I just attended the first orientation session of four for the new board members. That's already a big change! Lots of changes in the past 14 years.


I'm your representative on the board, the official Living Donor, choose 1. What matters to you? Let me know! My issues have always been:
1) Informed consent for all living donor candidates from the moment they present as such,
2) Duty of care for all living donor candidates as whole persons throughout their path to donation,
3) Excellence in policy, practice, and practitioners for the surgery and all complications for both donor and recipient,
4) Immediate and long term (lifetime!) follow up and duty of care for all who have presented and set foot on the path to donation, including those who undergo surgery, but also those deferred by potentially devastating revelations about their own physical or mental health or their genetic relationships to intended recipients.


  We do not yet consider all these goals in current debate of public policy. The fact we considered none of them when I first was elected to the board nearly 20 years ago and now many are established policy is heartening. That Congress has legislated to acheive further improvement is amazing. What are your thoughts on the changing environment?


  Thank you all who are still reading after all these years!

Add yours! https://livingdonorsonline.org/donor-experiences/donation-anniversaries/


Happy day, if happiness is in the offing for you today! Sympathy and a wish for your heart's ease if not. Best wishes all! Take good care!

Thirty-second anniversary:
Kay donated a kidney to her sister Penny on May 27th, 1993

Thirtieth anniversary:
Patty Mazzola donated a kidney to her father, Angelo, at MGH on May 23rd, 1995

Tenty-ninth anniversary:
Katy Moyer donated a kidney to her mother, Kris McCallum, on May 8th, 1996
Laura Robinson donated a kidney to her father on May 9th, 1996

Twenty-sixth anniversary:
Monique Martin donated a kidney to her niece on May 7th, 1999

Twenty-fourth anniversary:
Pauline Snyder donated part of her liver to her sister on May 2nd, 2001
Bryan Urmetz donated a kidney to his brother on May 5th, 2001

Twenty-third anniversary:
Paul J. Fuller donated part of his liver to his father on May 7th, 2002
Terri Craft donated a kidney to her stepfather on May 14th, 2002
Lisa Georges donated a kidney to her spouse on May 24th, 2002

Twenty-second anniversary:
Debi Ashley-Shaw donated a kidney to a friend on May 1st, 2003
Betty Minton donated a kidney to her mother on May 7th, 2003
John Hodges donated his left kidney to Margo Zelermyer on May 8th, 2003
Tina Hayman donated a kidney to her father on May 12th, 2003
Gigi Snyder donated a kidney to her son, Michael, on May 14th, 2003
Kris Wymenga donated a kidney to an unrelated recipient on May 16th, 2003
Debby Rappe donated a kidney to her sister on May 21st, 2003
Dawn Chandler donated a kidney to her brother on May 28th, 2003

Twenty-first anniversary:
D. Patrick Dewey donated a kidney to his brother on May 4th, 2004
Pete Ramirez donated a kidney to his fiance, Connie Martinez, on May 4th, 2004

Twentieth anniversary:
Helen Smunt donated a kidney to her daughter on May 2nd, 2005
Rob Halverson donated a kidney to a stranger on May 9th, 2005
Daniel Griffiths donated a kidney to an unrelated recipient on May 17th, 2005
Melissa Semione donated a kidney to a stranger on May 17th, 2005

Ninteenth anniversary:
Christine Shedrick donated part of her liver to her sister-in-law on May 4th, 2006
Chris McDonough donated a kidney on May 4th, 2006, to a man he didn't meet until after being tested for compatibility
Nancy Shotland donated a kidney to an unrelated person on May 4th, 2006
Julie Sutton donated a kidney to her brother on May 5th, 2006
Barbara donated a kidney to her daughter on May 11th, 2006
Brenda Joy Hubbard Oates donated a kidney to her brother, David M. Hubbard, on May 11th, 2006
Elise Romero donated a kidney to her dad on May 17th, 2006
John P. McGuinness donated a kidney to a stranger, Helen Taranto, which started a three way transfer, on May 31st, 2006

Eighteenth anniversary:
Timothy Cullen donated part of his liver to his brother on May 1st, 2007
Vicki Stronge donated a kidney to her father on May 2nd, 2007
Melanie Hall donated a kidney to her daughter on May 3rd, 2007
Joe Steward donated a kidney to a friend on May 16th, 2007

Seventeenth anniversary:
Billy donated a kidney to his mother, Anne, on May 6th, 2008
Amanda Smith donated a kidney to her aunt, Sherry Figgins, on May 9th, 2008
Jennifer Fenimore donated a kidney to her Mom on May 13th, 2008
Phillip Berry donated a kidney to a friend on May 15th, 2008
William Ransom donated a kidney to his father-in-law, Ernie Beabes, on May 15th, 2008
Steve Estlund donated a kidney to his Uncle Paul on May 21st, 2008

Sixteenth anniversary:
Laura Ranzenberger donated part of her liver to her sister, Carolyn Eversole, on May 4th, 2009
Kelly Wawrzyniakowski donated a kidney to her friend's daughter, 3 year old Mira, on May 13th, 2009

Fifteenth anniversary:
Melissa Temple donated a kidney to her aunt, Pam Libby, on May 4th, 2010
Debbie Heimlich Heffley donated a kidney to her mom on May 21st, 2010

Fourteenth anniversary:
Ann E. Parker donated a kidney to a friend, James Blank, on May 10th, 2011
Sarah donated her left kidney to younger sister, Kaylah, on May 10th, 2011
Sara George donated a kidney to her sister, Molly, on May 12th, 2011
Amy Bove donated a kidney to her little brother, Nathan Wilcox, on May 24th, 2011
Josh Perkins made a non-directed kidney donation on May 24th, 2011

Thirteenth anniversary:
Ray Nelson donated a kidney to his nephew, Zakry Miller, on May 7th, 2012
Alexandra Redenius donated a kidney to Steve Ferkau, an unrelated person, on May 8th, 2012
Peggy Fischer donated a kidney to her daughter, Breanna, on May 8th, 2012
Liz Nicholson donated a kidney to Jeff on May 10th, 2012
Vickie Garrett donated a kidney to her friend, Teresa Dixon, on May 14th, 2012
Donna Thomas donated a kidney to an unrelated person, Joe Gordon, on May 16th, 2012
Rebecca Palacio donated a kidney to her aunt on May 23rd, 2012

Twelfth anniversary:
Martin Hubbard donated a kidney to his daughter, Karen, on May 2nd, 2013
June Irving donated a kidney to her daughter, Alison Brown, on May 15th, 2013
Cyndi Kahn donated a kidney to her friend, Luther L., on May 24th, 2013
Athena Overstreet donated a kidney to Tera O'Brien, her cousin's wife, on May 28th, 2013

Tenth anniversary:
Estephanie Zuniga donated a kidney to her husband, Max, on May 1st, 2015
Charmin Heimer donated a kidney to her  sister's husband's brother, David Hutzel, on May 19th, 2015
Christine Arnemann donated a kidney to Andi Ribera, an unrelated person, on May 20th, 2015

Ninth anniversary:
Tessa Demers donated a kidney to her best friend, Caitlyn Lambert-Hutchinson, on May 16th, 2016
Frank Hodowal donated a kidney to his wife, Wendy, on May 26th, 2016
Krista Romer-McCarthy donated a kidney to an unknown person on May 26th, 2016

The best route is to reach out to friends, family, and members of any organizations you belong to (religious, social, etc.), and ask if they know of anyone in need. There are also several Facebook group pages with people needing kidneys. Just be prepared to defend yourself when you say you have a specific target in mind.

Thanks, Michael! Are their platforms on which one could find someone who fits my criteria who needs a kidney?