ERROR: Our system requires that you have cookies enable in order to work correctly. It appears that you have cookies disabled in your browser. Check your browser's help manual to find out how to enable cookies.
News Article: National Kidney Registry Looks To Save Lives - National Kidney Registry - Facilitating Living Donor Transplants
Modern-day organ transplant operations have the potential to save the
lives of thousands of people. However, many complications can arise during the
transplant process. When his own daughter suddenly experienced kidney failure,
Garet Hil struggled to find a compatible donor. After finding a successful
kidney match, his daughter's health was restored. Since then, Hil has made
strides to vet the kidney transplant process and recently founded the National
Kidney Registry in Babylon.
Earlier this year, Hil's daughter experienced sudden kidney failure and had
to go on dialysis while donors were sought. Though Hil volunteered to donate
his kidney and both had matching blood types, the organ wasn't compatible. Four
others also were prepared to donate their kidneys, but failed other cross-matching
tests. In the end, Tristan Smith – Hil's nephew – met the requirements, donated
his kidney and saved the little girl's life. Though Hil's story had a happy
ending, he is aware that there are many others who are in desperate need of
organ transplants. However, they struggle with navigating the transplant process.
"The kidney transplant is an absolute miracle," Hil said. Thousands
of individuals have successfully received successful transplants, he
explained. However, many more struggle to get organ transplant operations -
specifically kidney transplant operations. "There are approximately 100,000
people a year who go on dialysis in the US," he said. While on dialysis,
these people struggle to find a compatible kidney donor.
"There's a lot of red tape," continued Denise Ryan, the office manager of
the National Kidney Registry. "It's very difficult for people who have kidney
failure to get a transplant." To address this and other problems associated
with kidney transplants, Hil founded the National Kidney Registry, a non-profit
organization, in May.
"We're trying to help educate people on the ins and outs [of kidney
transplants]," Hil stated. Though it is a fledgling foundation, the mission
and goals of the registry are moving forward at a rapid pace. "Every living
donor in the world will pass through a common registry to be matched with the
most compatible recipient," according to the registry's website. "The mission
of the National Kidney Registry is to save and improve the lives of people
facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed, and number of living
donor transplants in the world."
"The primary person we're trying to help is the kidney recipient," Hil
said. Thousands of people will encounter kidney problems and the registry
looks to educate those who are or will be in need of a transplant operation.
Finding prospective donors is the second group of people that the registry
has its sights set on, Hil continued. Contrary to popular belief, there are
many individuals who are willing to donate kidneys – either for the sake of
a family member or altruistically, he said. Connecting recipients to donors
is one of the driving forces behind the registry. He specified three types of
kidney donations: direct, paired exchanges and non-direct donations.
Direct kidney donors look to give their kidney to a specific person – often
a family member or friend. A paired exchange is classified as an individual who
wishes to donate to a specific person, but both kidneys are incompatible. "In this
case, the donor will donate to someone else in an exchange that better matches
the donors to the recipients," according to the organization's website. The
third group – non-direct donors – do not have a specific person to give their
kidney to but donate it altruistically.
Medical hurdles are encountered when people look to participate in
transplants. Though blood compatibility is beyond a person's control, individuals
can maintain a healthy body and an active lifestyle to participate in a transplant
operation. Once donors receive a certified physician's authorization and meet
the medical criteria, they can sign up for free at the registry. From there,
the organization facilitates kidney transplants and life-saving operations.
Up to 50% of the population can anticipate severe kidney problems years
in advance, Hil said. Individuals who are likely to develop kidney-related
problems should consider being examined by a doctor. If a physician believes
a transplant would be beneficial, people can take proactive steps to safeguard
their health, he added.
Though they have had a strong response in a short time period, Hil is looking
for more people to get involved with the organization. Fundraising efforts are
underway, and Hil is on the look out for financial donors. In the first wave
of fundraising, the organization has amassed $130,000. However, Hil continued,
their goal is $250,000.
"It's a wonderful thing to find out how giving people are," Ryan said.
