A look at kidney transplant waiting list statistics can give the individual a clear indication of several different things. If they are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, such statistics can prove to be highly valuable. If they have a close friend or family member who is currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, these statistics can provide crucial information. These facts can also prove to be compelling to those who simply wish to know more about the current state of kidney transplants and the waiting lists that people must adhere to.
Kidney Transplant Waiting List Stats
There are a number of statistics concerning organ donors, and kidney donors, and the waiting lists that dictate the worthiness of candidates. These statistics provide a great deal of information on the current concept of the kidney transplant waiting list:
1. The most recent released number for those who are currently waiting for an organ transplant is 122,737 in the United States. Within that figure, 106,566 individuals are specifically waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States. This number is considered to be fairly typical. There is generally not a dramatic rise or fall to either of these figures.
2. In 2013, 16,894 kidney transplants occurred in the United States.
3. 7,546 of the kidney transplants that occurred in the United States last year came from donors who had recently passed away.
4. 5,733 of the kidney transplants that occurred in the United States last year came from donors who were alive at the time of the transplant.
5. Over 18% of the living donors were between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four.
6. Nearly 27% of the living donors were between the ages of thirty-five and forty-nine.
7. 37% of the living donors were fifty to sixty-four.
8. Only 13% of the living donors were sixty-five years of age or older.
9. The majority (over sixty percent) of living donors were male.
10. Over twenty-five hundred people are added to the kidney transplant waiting list each month. This number is an average.
11. Roughly fourteen people die each day while waiting to be called to surgery from their position on a kidney transplant waiting list.
12. Someone is added to the kidney transplant waiting list every twenty minutes.
13. Last year, 4,297 individuals died while waiting for a kidney transplant.
14. 3,086 individuals are currently too sick to receive a transplant.
It’s easy to see from these statistics that the number of people on the kidney transplant waiting list is extremely high. A number of factors can influence why a person dies before being called to surgery. The waiting list itself is determined by factors such as need and age. Someone who is otherwise healthy is likely to be a more probable candidate on the kidney transplant waiting list than someone who is extremely elderly or is suffering from a variety of diseases.
Basic Kidney Transplant Information
There are a number of things that should be kept in mind with kidney transplants. A basic understanding of kidney transplants can help a person to better appreciate the statistics involved with kidney transplants and waiting lists:
1. A kidney transplant involves replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy one.
2. Healthy kidneys come from donors. There are two different types of donors. Living donors are those who choose to give one of their kidneys to an individual who needs it. A person with only one kidney can live a healthy life. Cadaver donors are those who donate healthy kidneys after recently passing away.
3. Most kidney donors are cadaver donors.
4. For a kidney transplant to be successful, the donor and the recipient must closely match with blood type and tissue.
5. A number of tests are conducted to determine if the kidney transplant will be successful.
6. The recipient of the kidney will be tested for any conditions that may decrease their lifespan.
7. Kidney transplant surgery typically takes three hours.
8. A hospital stay of seven to ten days occurs after the surgery. Medicines are administered and dialysis is sometimes utilized.
9. Acute rejection can sometimes occur. This can often be dealt with through treatment. Chronic rejection can also occur in certain cases. There are no treatment options for chronic rejection.
With these basic facts, the statistics surrounding kidney transplant waiting lists can become much easier to grasp.
Kidney Transplant Waiting List Overview
There are a number of ways to become a donor. Online registries are available in some areas. However, many prefer to indicate their status as an organ donor on their driver’s license or fill out an application for an organ donor card. With any of those steps, it is considered important to tell friends and family members of the decision as quickly as possible.
Those who wish to donate (and can) can do a lot for those on a waiting list.