Organ donations are decreasing in US

Success rates for organ transplants are increasing, but organ donations are decreasing, study shows – The number of living donor organs available for transplant has progressively declined over the past five years, according to a new study. In addition, the study showed that for the first time, organs from deceased donors decreased in 2008.

Encouraging relatives for organ donation consent

Changing the way organ donation requests are made could prevent relatives denying consent – Timing and whether a transplant coordinator makes the request are key factors in whether relatives consent to organ donation, according to a study published on bmj.com today.

Enteroviral infection of pancreas causes type 1 diabetes

New study of human pancreases links virus to cause of type 1 diabetes. Key to success is unique availability of relevant organs for research. – A common family of viruses (enteroviruses) may play an important role in triggering the development of diabetes, particularly in children, revealed by researchers.

Organ donation promoted by UT Southwestern University Hospital

UT Southwestern University Hospital’s transplant program recognized for increasing organ donor rates. – The surgical transplant team at UT Southwestern University Hospital has garnered twin awards for its successful efforts to increase organ donation rates.

Presumed consent for organ donation, UK

The BMA supports a system of soft presumed consent, with safeguards, for organ donation by deceased people over the age of 16. – Given the media coverage of the forthcoming report from the Organ Donation Taskforce on presumed consent, journalists covering this issue over the weekend may find the BMA’s briefing paper on presumed consent useful.

Need to govern organ donation and transplantation

A new declaration opposes transplant commercialism, transplant tourism and organ trafficking; Governments and international organizations urged to safeguard against these unethical practices. – All countries should take steps to govern organ donation and transplantation, thereby ensuring patient safety and prohibiting unethical practices, according to an article appearing in the September 2008 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

More must be done to increase organ donors

British Medical Association expressed disappointment that the UK lags far behind other European countries in the level of organ donation. – UK doctors expressed their disappointment that the UK lags far behind other European countries in the level of organ donation, and called on UK governments to do more to increase awareness about the importance of this issue.

UK’s oldest existing motoring club on track to boost life-saving campaign

The UK?s oldest existing motorsport club is giving a boost to the drive to encourage more people to become potential lifesavers by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. – The 1,800-member Midland Automobile Club ? which was founded in Birmingham on 11_January 1901 ? is backing the call for more drivers and riders to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

BMA supports UK organ donation report

The British Medical Association (BMA) will be happy to work with the UK’s Task Force to raise awareness about organ donation. – Commenting on the initial report released by the Organ Donation Task Force, the Chairman of the British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics Committee (MEC), Dr Tony Calland, applauded the report’s recommendations to improve current systems for organ donation.

Fifty per cent increase in organ donation possible in 5 years

Donating an organ is the greatest gift anyone can bestow. Last year around 2,400 people in the UK benefited from an organ transplant, but more than 1000 people die every year waiting for a transplant. – The UK Department of Health announced it would back the recommendations of the Organ Donation Taskforce, which could see a 50 per cent increase in organ donation in the UK within five years – resulting in an additional 1,200 transplants a year and saving thousands of lives.

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