Key points from today’s guests:
Steve Thon, kidney recipient and Cindy’s uncle
- A diehard Kansas Jayhawks fan, eight years ago Steve started experiencing renal disease.
- He felt sick all the time and was close to going on dialysis right before his niece surprised him with a call about being a living kidney donor.
- He said it was a night and day difference in health after the transplant, which happened in June.
- He is so grateful for Cindy’s heroic donation.
Cindy Diederich, kidney donor
- A rival Kansas State Wildcats fan, there was never a doubt that she was going to help her uncle by donating her kidney after she found out she was a match.
- She had to go through additional testing to ensure she was a competent donor.
- She said his heart may belong to Kansas, but his kidney is now Kansas State.
- Cindy encourages others to consider living donation because it was a smooth process and it can save someone’s life.
Dr. Sean Kumer, VP perioperative services, transplant surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- About 10-12 percent of kidney transplants are from living donors.
- We have performed transplant chains of 10 with five donors and five recipients.
- Living donor kidneys can last about 3-5 years longer than a donor from a deceased donor.
- Previously, 80 percent of locally donated livers stayed local, now 80 percent of donated livers are shipped to other regions due to new UNOS organ sharing guidelines.
- There are great outcomes with living kidney donors. Cindy’s single kidney will serve her well.
Dr. Tim Schmitt, director of transplantation, transplant surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- It’s great to see a kidney go from not working to working.
- Transplanted kidneys can last between 25-30 years.
- Conducting two operations at once for a living donor requires excellent coordination, but we have a great process.
- Recent changes in organ donation protocols from UNOS makes it more difficult in the Kansas area for recipients to get organs because donated organs are being shipped to different regions.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Sometimes kidney failure patients don’t realize how sick they were until after they get a transplant and see how good they are supposed to feel.
- This transplant story inspired a man Steve Thon knew to become an organ donor just before the man suddenly passed away.
- His organ donation went to several people and saved lives.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection & prevention control, The University of Kansas Health System
- The hospital is at 24 active COVID infections, which is up from 16 last week.
- Positive tests for flu are going up at the Health System.
- Hand hygiene when cooking and eating can help with avoiding illness this season.
- It’s always OK to wear a mask in situations with crowds, especially when traveling for the holidays.
Monday, Nov. 27 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Hear from a patient who has survived pancreatic cancer.
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