Here are some of the milestones and newsbreaks that have touched transplant families since this time last year.
5. Scientists 3D Print Human Body Parts
After a decade of research, scientists managed to engineer functional human body parts including bones, muscles and ears.
Will lab-grown organs replace donor organs? Photo via source.
Quote: “This technology could potentially be used to print living tissue and organ structures for surgical implantation.”
4. Total Artificial Heart Could Eliminate Transplants
After a 60-year break, the total artificial heart (TAH) is being revisited as a potential permanent implant that would eliminate the need for heart transplants.
Diagram of a Total Artificial Heart. Image via UCLA.
Quote: “There are people that are desperate for this technology…I think it has the potential to save a lot of people’s lives”
3. Ending The Waiting List…In Our Time?
In addition to lab-grown organs, bioprinting and cold storage could dramatically improve circumstances for transplant candidates on the waiting list.
Will bioprinting and cold storage end the waiting list? Image via source.
Quote: “We can expect the first fully engineered bioidentical no-immune-suppression-needed organ transplant in humans within 10 years.”
2. Have Money, Will Transplant
A study indicates that wealthy people are more likely to secure a transplant and less likely to die while waiting for one.
Can money get you on a shorter waiting list? Image via source.
Quote: “It takes money and knowledge…traveling can make a huge difference in how quickly you get an organ.”
1. Incompatible Donors Can Donate A Kidney
Donors may now be able to give a kidney to an incompatible recipient through a process called desensitization.
Incompatible kidney donation is now possible. Image via source.
Quote: “Desensitization…can cost about $30,000 [but] dialysis would rack up a higher price tag and a considerably lower quality of life.”
Did a health headline touch your family this year? Reach out to us on Facebook and share the stories that moved you.
Here are some of the milestones and newsbreaks that have touched transplant families since this time last year.
5. Scientists 3D Print Human Body Parts
After a decade of research, scientists managed to engineer functional human body parts including bones, muscles and ears.
Quote: “This technology could potentially be used to print living tissue and organ structures for surgical implantation.”
4. Total Artificial Heart Could Eliminate Transplants
After a 60-year break, the total artificial heart (TAH) is being revisited as a potential permanent implant that would eliminate the need for heart transplants.
Quote: “There are people that are desperate for this technology…I think it has the potential to save a lot of people’s lives”
3. Ending The Waiting List…In Our Time?
In addition to lab-grown organs, bioprinting and cold storage could dramatically improve circumstances for transplant candidates on the waiting list.
Quote: “We can expect the first fully engineered bioidentical no-immune-suppression-needed organ transplant in humans within 10 years.”
2. Have Money, Will Transplant
A study indicates that wealthy people are more likely to secure a transplant and less likely to die while waiting for one.
Quote: “It takes money and knowledge…traveling can make a huge difference in how quickly you get an organ.”
1. Incompatible Donors Can Donate A Kidney
Donors may now be able to give a kidney to an incompatible recipient through a process called desensitization.
Quote: “Desensitization…can cost about $30,000 [but] dialysis would rack up a higher price tag and a considerably lower quality of life.”
Did a health headline touch your family this year? Reach out to us on Facebook and share the stories that moved you.
