Over 65 percent of these individuals require donors from outside their own family. Nearly 18,000 people are diagnosed each year with illnesses for which blood stem cell transplantation - requiring marrow or cord blood - is the best treatment option. Americans from every community are needed to help make a life-saving difference. Although a transplant can be successful regardless of the race or ethnicity of the donor and recipient, there is a greater chance of longer-term survival for the recipient if the genetic background of the donor and recipient are closely matched. In many cases, that means generous American adults can contribute to our goal of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list.Ĭurrent statistics show that Americans belonging to minority groups make up nearly 60 percent of those waiting for an organ transplant. While very small children most often must receive donations from other young children due to size constraints, older children and adults can often match. Sadly, the waiting list currently contains more than 1,900 children under the age of 18 who are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. There are more than 107,000 people currently on the national transplant waiting list, and another person is added every nine minutes. While thousands of Americans receive the gift of life each year through organ transplantation, the number of people in need of life-saving organs remains staggeringly high. Thanks to the resilience of our organ donation and transplantation professionals and the caring nature of the American people, more than 39,000 life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplants were performed in the United States last year from both living and deceased donors. This month-long observance also encompasses National Pediatric Transplant Week from April 18-24, a week dedicated to ending the pediatric transplant waiting list.ĭespite the extraordinary challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 saw organ transplants from deceased donors set an annual record for the 10th consecutive year - a testament to Americans’ generosity and selflessness even in times of unbearable loss. We also honor the families and friends of donors who have supported their loved one’s decision to donate, as well as the caring and committed professionals who serve the transplantation community. Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””Īpril is National Donate Life Month, a time for all Americans to celebrate the generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, eye, tissue, marrow, and blood donors ‑- and to encourage more Americans to follow their example.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative. Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””.Administration Show submenu for “Administration””.
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