Transplant Swaps

[omaha_Style1]

Dont know how many of you have heard of kidney swaps, but I had one at mayo last nov. I was going there for their positive xmatch trial, but two weeks before I went, i got a call saying I had a perfect match kidney if my sister donated to a stranger. I went from going into a difficult pre transplant prcedures to being in hospital 3 days and only taking 3 pills twice a day! Your mileage may vary, but look into it if you have willing non matching donors. The swap I was apart of was a 8 way swap, meaning 4 people got living unrelated good match kidneys! I was waitlisted for 6 years prior. I went in to get worked up in May, and was transplanted in Nov. I stayed active on the UNOS list, the mayo swap list, and was all set to do the trial if nothing else panned out.

All 3 Mayo's are doing this, as well as Emory, Johns hopkins, among others.

[okarol]

There are lots of stories in our new section about paired donation and transplant chains. It makes so much sense to pool the living donors and make the best possible match for the recipients. I am glad you're doing well!