TODAY: Nearly 115,000 people in the United States are awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant, including more than 10,000 people in Texas.
- On average, 20 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant.
- While the number of donors and organs transplanted continues to rise, the gap between transplants and number of patients is still significant. On average, someone is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes.
- In 2018, there were 17,570 organ donors in the U.S. who generously donated 36,527 organs for transplantation (the most in history).
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Left to Right: Dr. Klintmalm, Patti Niles, Ronnie Matthews, Dennis and Niki
Joining host, Dennis McCuistion, to talk about this critical need are:
- Göran B.G. Klintmalm M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.: Chief & Chairman, the Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Past President, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas
- Patti Niles: President/CEO Southwest Transplant Alliance, one of 58 federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organizations
- Ronnie Matthews: Father of the late Cam’ron Matthews, a donor
During a school football game, Cam’ron, age 16, collapsed on the field. Not long beforehand Cam’ron had applied for a driver’s permit and had checked the box to indicate he wanted to be a registered donor. Cam’ron was a hero. His compassionate gift helped save 6 lives. His father, Ronnie Matthews says, “there is nothing more touching that someone who looks you in the eye and says, ‘I would not be alive today if it weren’t for your son.”
Click Here to View CBS Coverage
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The Southwest Transplant Alliance Team
According to Dr. Klintmalm, “3.2 organs can be recovered from an average donor; however, not all organs in every donor are usable. And we have to evaluate whether an organ is going to be good for a recipient or detrimental.”
Approximately 1% of people who die in Texas, die in a way where they can be an organ donor. The risk for a transplant procedure is relatively small. However, there are many other factors at risk; from blood types not matching to any medical condition the donor may have.
President/CEO Patti Niles says, “Each year we set a goal to save more lives with organs transplanted. All of this starts with the ‘yes’ from registered organ donors and families that have made the incredibly generous decision to donate. We encourage everyone to register their decision by visitingdonatelifetexas.org.”
- In 2017, STA began recovering donated tissue to save and enhance the lives of thousands of more people.
- In 2018, STA broke ground on their new, state-of-the-art organ and tissue recovery facility. Located in Dallas, Texas, the organization’s new headquarters will aim to lead the way in innovation and advancement in the field. The facility will open in 2020. (www.organ.org/future)
- In 2018, STA announced the formation of the Outlive Yourself Foundation, which will support STA’s mission through donor and recipient family support, community education and research. Learn more about the Foundation at www.outliveyourself.org.
And please don’t forget the McCuistion Program, Foundation for Responsible Television, is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization which does not receive any PBS pledge dollars, PBS funds or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 28 years is generously given from grantors and viewers just like you. So thank you for your continued support.
We appreciate you,
Niki McCuistion
Co-Founder, Executive Producer, Producer
Business Consultant / Executive Coach, specializing in Organizational Culture Change, Governance and Strategic Planning
(214) 394-6794
www.nikimccuistion.com
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
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