Could you be a donor? Call us at 508-334-1269 to find out.
The UMass Memorial Transplant Program strongly believes in organ and tissue donation as a way to save thousands of lives for individuals waiting for an organ transplant.
The following information was developed to encourage thoughtful consideration of the donation issue, and hopefully to advance discussions with family members and friends.
- Every 17 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list for an organ to be used for a lifesaving transplant.
- Today, more than 95,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
- Tragically, every day 16 people die while awaiting a transplant.
- Hundreds of thousands more patients would benefit from a life-enhancing tissue transplant.
- One donor may help many individuals waiting for organ and tissue transplants:
- Three to four patients who are dying from heart, liver or lung failure can be saved
- A kidney transplant can free two patients from dialysis; treatments that can take 12 to 15 hours a week
- A pancreas transplant can free one patient from daily insulin injections
- Bone transplants can help numerous patients save limbs threatened by cancer or severe trauma
- Donated skin can protect numerous burn victims from infection and pain
As of March 2006, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 8D, were amended to allow for individuals to designate on driver license renewals their desire to become organ donors. Next of kin consent is not needed anymore for those who are at least 18 years old. For more information on organ and tissue donation, please contact the New England Organ Bank.