Organ transplants in demand
The history of organ transplantation in the United States began in 1954 with a successful kidney transplant performed in Boston. Since then, demand has grown to the point that 108,893 people in the U.S. are now awaiting organ transplants -- the majority of them kidneys.
About 74 organ transplants are performed in the U.S. each day, but 17 people die daily because of a shortage of donors. OrganDonor.gov tracks the wait list (by organ) and provides basic information about how to become a donor.
The Newport News Daily Press looks at one case in“Woman Flies to Duke to Await Rare Multiple Organ Transplant.”
-- Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times
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