Break Free From Dialysis

I saw this today from Georgetown University Hospital:

GEORGETOWN TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE

Break Free From Dialysis

Whether you are newly diagnosed with kidney disease or are on dialysis, take heart! Ground- breaking advances now make the transplant process easier and more accessible for both donors and recipients.
In fact, there is no such thing as an incompatible donor anymore! With innovative procedures, the experts at the Georgetown Transplant Institute have increased patients’ chances of getting the new kidneys they need. Here’s what you need to know about dialysis, kidney transplant and how you can improve your quality of life.

FIVE FACTS FOR KIDNEY RECIPIENTS:

#1. Dialysis is a short-term treatment, not a cure.
Dialysis is an important life-saving treatment for about six to 18 months. But then, the combined stress of disease and dialysis begin to take a toll on the body, and other organs start to fail. By the time those on dialysis think about getting a transplant, they are sometimes too sick for surgery.
#2. You should register for a kidney transplant before starting dialysis.
You don’t have to be on dialysis before signing up for a transplant. Especially if you are diabetic, the earlier you register, the better! The longer you wait, the lower your position on the waiting list—reducing your chances of getting an organ when you need it. As soon as you learn that your kidneys are failing, join a registry!
#3. You can join more than one kidney registry.
There are multiple registries in the Washington metropolitan area. To improve your chance of a match, ask your transplant center about registering with several organizations.
#4. Even if you have had other surgeries or medical conditions, you may still be eligible for a kidney transplant.
Don’t assume that your medical history rules you out for transplant! Even if you have had cancer or heart surgery in the past, you may still be a candidate. Check with the transplant center first—they will do a thorough evaluation and let you know whether transplant is right for you.
#5. No matter your age, blood type or race, there is a kidney for you!
Today’s sophisticated blood-cleansing techniques, paired- donor programs and other innovations mean that there’s a suitable new kidney, somewhere, for just about anyone! And almost any healthy individual older than age 18 can donate a kidney and share the gift of life.

GEORGETOWN TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE

Donate a Kidney and Save a Life

More than 80,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney transplant. Each day, about 17 people die while waiting. Become a kidney donor and save the life of a loved one, colleague or neighbor. And it’s never been easier—the Georgetown Transplant Institute’s new minimally invasive procedures offer kidney donors faster recovery, less pain and smaller scars.
Here’s what you need to know about donating a kidney and giving the gift of life.

FIVE FACTS FOR KIDNEY DONORS:

#1. Your contribution will save someone’s life!
Within the D.C area, about 700,000 people have some form of kidney disease—one of the highest rates in the nation. On any given day, there are 6,000 people on dialysis; approximately 1,500 of them are awaiting a donated kidney. But, with estimated wait times of four to six years, many people with kidney disease die before a new organ becomes available. By donating a kidney, you can help change those odds and save a life.
#2. New minimally invasive approaches make it easier for donors to recover.
New surgical techniques allow doctors to remove a kidney using smaller incisions than ever before. So, today’s living-kidney donors are usually out of the hospital within two days, and back to work within six to eight weeks.
#3. Even if you are not a match for your intended recipient, you can still donate on his/her behalf.
That’s because of paired-kidney exchanges—an intricate process of mixing and matching recipients and their donors in an ever-widening pool until the right pairings are found. While that means your kidney may go to a stranger, your donation assures that the person you volunteered to help gets a new organ, too.
#4. You can live a long and normal life with only one kidney.
Prior to your donation, you will receive a thorough medical exam by the transplant team to evaluate your overall health and look for any unknown problems. The team wants to protect your health, too!
#5. You don’t have to be an exact blood match with your intended recipient.
Some organs are so close to being a match that doctors can use innovative techniques to decrease the likelihood of rejection. “Close enough” is better than having to live with a diseased kidney!

For an appointment or more information, call 202-444-3700 or 866-745-2633 GeorgetownUniversityHospital.org/Kidney
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