Written by: Marlene L. Larraga BSN, RN
The RGV is fortunate enough to have our very own Medicare Certified Kidney Transplant Center at DHR Health Transplant Institute. We currently have 200 people on our kidney transplant waiting list who are anxiously waiting for the most precious gift, a lifesaving organ. Over 110,000 men, women and children are on the U.S. national transplant waiting list. Texas alone has over 10,000 people waiting for an organ transplant which puts organ donation in high demand. In America, 20 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.
April is National Donate Life Month. This month is used to encourage Americans to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, but also to honor and celebrate the heroes who have saved lives through the gift of donation. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and many others through eye and tissue donation. Donation not only saves the lives of the recipients, but it transforms entire families.
We, as the only kidney transplant center at DHR Health, with the lead of our outstanding physicians and team, will continue providing the maximum and the best care to all our patients, including our listed patients, to make sure they are still healthy enough to get the kidney transplant when the time comes.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with kidney failure are considered a risk factor for this severe disease. Our main priority at DHR Health Transplant Institute is to educate our listed patients who are with advanced kidney disease and those waiting for the kidney organ, on ways to stay healthy.
National Donate Life Month was and still is a way to bring hope and refresh our patients with ways to stay healthy while waiting on the list. This month with the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are emphasizing it more to than ever, to professionals, patients and the community. The importance of taking care of our health and following protocols for our beloved End Stage Disease patients, allows them to keep their immunity strong as a way to fight the pandemic and to be ready for the most important event we all are wanting for these patients “ The Kidney Transplant event “
Who can be a donor? People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves as potential donors.
How to become a donor? Register at www.donatelifetexas.org. It takes less than 60 seconds to register.
We will continue to take extra precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic as we follow local, state and federal ordinances.
