Cross Europe transplants save hundreds of lives

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 15 Sep 2004 - 16:00 PDT


Hundreds of NHS patients (UK) have had their lives saved or dramatically improved through the sharing of organs throughout Europe.

According to NHS UK Transplant, 656 British patients have been given organs from elsewhere in Europe since the scheme started in 1972. More than 400 across the Channel have benefited from UK donors.

"There is a serious shortage of donated organs throughout the UK and the rest of Europe," said health minister Rosie Winterton.

"Co-operation between neighbouring states is vital to make best use of what are precious, life-saving resources - donated organs for transplant."

There are currently nearly 6,000 people on the list for a transplant in the UK. A record 2,867 transplants took place last year but 443 people died while waiting.

Donated organs such as heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and liver are matched by blood group and physical size, while kidneys are also matched by tissue type.

They normally survive only a limited time outside the body - a heart has to be transplanted within six hours, kidneys within 48 hours and a liver within 18.

Six-year-old Joshua Dawson was one patient whose life was transformed because of a heart transplant from Europe.

"National boundaries do not matter when it comes to saving lives," his mother said.

© 1998-2004 DeHavilland Information Services plc.

http://www.hda-online.org.uk

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