Alabama Children Have Another Transplant Alternative

Pediatric transplant patients in Alabama have a new, more convenient alternative. Recently, Children's of Alabama received approval from UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) to begin solid organ transplants. Children's will be performing heart, liver, and kidney transplants.

Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children (Photo credit: Dystopos)

Additionally, pediatric transplant patients have a one-stop shop at Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children. Until now, their pre-transplant testing would be done at Children's. Then, they would be taken to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for the actual transplant and be transported back to Children's for post-transplant care. The back-and-forth was not very convenient for the patients' families, nor was it easy on the young patients.

With UNOS' approval and the completion of the brand new $400 Million Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children, all pediatric transplant care is in one facility. It's a win-win for everyone, but especially for the patients.

For more information on organ and tissue donation, including how to register in the state where you live, please visit the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc.'s website at https://www.SaveLivesTN.org/ by clicking here.

Read more - cbs42.com article titled "Childrens' Approved to Perform Solid Organ Transplant Surgery"

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• Organ transplants now being performed at Children's of Alabama (al.com)
• Children's Hospital can Perform Organ Transplants (wtvy.com)

Pancreas Transplant Means No More Diabetes

Back in February, within a 36-hour period, three patients suffering from diabetes received pancreas transplants at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center. After the transplants, each patient was cured of diabetes. One of the transplant surgeons described their cure as "immediate."

English: Diagram shows insulin release from the Pancreas and how this lowers blood sugar leves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Diabetes is a disease in which the human body cannot regulate blood sugar amounts due to the pancreas not producing a sufficient amount of insulin. The three patients who received the transplants no longer have to endure a daily regimen of finger pricks, blood sugar level checks, and insulin injections. Each of the three patients had suffered from diabetes nearly their whole lives. Now, with their new pancreata, "It's freedom, complete freedom," as one of the recipients, Neal Bertron put it.

Each year, only about 1200 pancreas transplants are done in the U.S., but you can help by registering as an organ and tissue donor. For more information about organ and tissue donation, including how to register as a donor where you live, please visit the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc. website at www.SaveLivesTN.org by clicking here.

Read more - ny1.com article titled "Organ Donation Provides Diabetes Patients with Sudden, Life-Changing Cure"

Related articles

• Organ Donation Provides Diabetes Patients With Sudden, Life-Changing Cure (manhattan.ny1.com)
• Pancreas transplant saves diabetes patients (mervsheppard.blogspot.com)
• Organ Donation Provides Diabetes Patients With Sudden, Life-Changing Cure (statenisland.ny1.com)