Living Donors Boost Transplant Numbers

Almost one in three kidney transplants performed in the United Kingdom during 2005-2006 relied on the generosity of a living donor.

Data published by UK Transplant (Bristol, UK) revealed that 1,915 people received a lifesaving kidney transplant in 2006, of which 589 (31%) were given their kidney by a relative, partner, or friend. UK Transplant's end-of-year figures also reveal a record 215 kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors, an increase of 49% over the previous year. The rise in living and non-heart-beating donors contributed to a 3% increase in overall transplant numbers and helped compensate for a 4% decline in the number of heart-beating donors. Overall, 2,795 lives were saved or dramatically enhanced by an organ transplant, compared with 2,724 in 2005.

"During the last five years UK Transplant has invested more than £14 million in living and non-heartbeating donor programs, as well as other donor initiatives, at hospitals around the United Kingdom,” said Chris Rudge, UK Transplant managing director. "These are helping to provide the additional doctors and nurses needed to enable more people to donate, and the results are very encouraging.”

Despite the increase in transplant numbers, the need for donated organs continues to exceed those available. By the end of the 2006 financial year, 6,698 people were actively registered for a transplant, an increase of 9% over the 2005 financial year. The majority of patients (5,773) needed a kidney.

UK Transplant is the National Health Service (NHS) organization in the United Kingdom responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. It is part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a special health authority within the NHS that also manages the National Blood Service and the Bio Products Laboratory.



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UK Transplant