Organ donors are playing a critical role in saving lives, as highlighted during April’s Donate Life Month. Researchers have discovered a new way to increase the viability of compromised organs, leading to more lives being saved through transplants. This was demonstrated when Damien Hocker’s organs were able to save five lives following his death in an accident.
Organ perfusion is a new technology that doctors at Mount Sinai are using to improve the viability of liver transplants. When a donor liver is found with fat content that compromises its viability, organ perfusion is used to cleanse the liver and prepare it for transplantation. This process involves providing vital nutrients and oxygen to the organ while monitoring its viability, allowing for the use of more organs and ultimately saving more lives.
Eduardo Iñigo Elias received a liver transplant and expressed gratitude towards the donor and their family for extending his life. Elias had been suffering from severe liver cirrhosis for over six years while waiting for a suitable liver to become available. He is now free from complications, his liver functions are normal, and he has regained his energy and overall well-being thanks to organ perfusion technology.
Each donor has the potential to save eight lives and enhance the quality of life for more than 75 others by becoming an organ donor. Living donors can provide organs such as kidneys for transplantation as well. It is important to raise awareness about the critical role of organ donors in saving lives during Donate Life Month and beyond.
