LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UofL Health – Trager Transplant Center is proud to announce they have joined the Living Donor Circle of Excellence. This program is an initiative from of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), with support from strategic partner the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), and celebrates employers who implement internal policies that provide salary support to their employees who choose to be a living organ donor.
“At Trager Transplant Center, we see firsthand the incredible impact living organ donors have on the lives of patients and their families,” said Beth Kallenborn, MBA, MSN, RN, CCTC, Transplant Executive Director, Trager Transplant Center. “By joining the Living Donor Circle of Excellence, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting those who make this selfless choice. Removing barriers for our employees who choose to be living donors aligns with our mission to save and improve lives.”
John Gill, M.D., Founder of the Living Donor Circle of Excellence said, “Living donors are heroes amongst us, their gift is life-saving for patients in need of a kidney or liver transplant, and has a huge positive impact on society. Patients facing life-threatening diseases are able to live normal lives, raise their families and participate in their communities. By supporting living organ donors, we are also building stronger communities.”
Today, more than 100,000 patients are waiting for a life-saving kidney or liver transplant. Of the transplants performed in 2021, living donors accounted for 24% of kidney transplants and 6% of liver transplants. Financial disincentives are a barrier for many potential living organ donors. Living organ donation typically includes a four- to six-week recovery period and many will use their vacation time or take unpaid absences during this period to donate.
“Every day 12 people die on the waitlist,” said Kevin Longino, Chief Executive Officer of NKF and a kidney transplant recipient. “We need to rip down every possible barrier to becoming a living donor. Members of The Circle are doing just that by supporting those willing to help others struggling with life-threatening illness and helping to reduce any financial burden from living donation.”
The Circle encourages other employers to follow UofL Health to help others in need of life-saving organ transplants. You can learn more about AST’s Living Donor Circle of Excellence here.
