Since 1987 more than 500,000 US citizens have received hearts, livers, kidneys and other donated organs that have extended their lives, according to new research
Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States can thank organ donations and transplants for adding two million years to their lives.
A new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that more than 530,000 people received hearts, livers, kidneys and other donated organs that have extended their lives.
Researchers analysed data collected between 1987 to 2012 and found that an average of 4.3 years were added to the lives of those who received an organ.
While researchers call this a “stellar accomplishment,” the bad news is that only 48% of the 1.1 million people on the waiting list received a life-saving transplant.
“The need is increasing; therefore, organ donation must increase. We call for deepened support of solid-organ transplant and donation – worthy endeavours with a remarkable record of achievement and a tremendous potential to do even more good for humankind in the future,” researchers said.
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According to the U.S. Department of Health, more than 7,600 people die each year waiting for transplants that will never happen because of the shortage of donated organs. Every 10 minutes a person is added to the ever-growing waiting list.
First published by RYOT
