John Hopkins/multiple waiting list

[Claudia30]

Hi All,
Got a question - is anyone else listed at several hospitals on the waiting list? Second question - has anyone here a pt of john hopkins hosptial? I have looked into them and have contacted them to see if they can add me to thier list or see if i can transfer my care to them. MAss general in boston is a good hospital but not very supportive. i have no support sysytem and need to find a living donor and feel a new environment would be good. I WANT a kidney transplant and i feel that mass gen. is set on me doing dialysis for a long time - which i don't want to do. It seems to be a good time for me to move down to maryland as i am searching for a job anyhow. any ideas? thanks

[stauffenberg]

Another factor to consider in your choice of a location in which to wait for a transplant is that waiting times vary greatly depending on the part of the country where you live.  New England is supposed to have one of the longest waiting times, around seven years.  Since the number of patients being added to the transplant waiting list every year is greater than the increase in the number of transplants being performed, the waiting lists are silting up everywhere, so even the seven-year estimate for New England will probably be a few years longer by the end of your wait there.

[paris]

I am listed at UNC and Charlotte Medical Center in  North Carolina.  I went through crossmatching with Johns Hopkins and found them to be very helpful.  I need plasmapheresis with a living donor and they have a good program for that.  So far, all my living donors have been denied donation--6 and counting.  The centers will share most of your tests, etc.  They do have you meet with the transplant team at each center.   It is good to get listed at more than one center. It increases you chances and centers vary greatly on the expected wait time.  Keep us posted on what you do