Would you ever donate a spare organ to someone else while youre still alive?
Probably not, given how few living organ donations happen these days.
Though living kidney donations have been increasing over time, they still arent very commonplace, however.
Only around 6,500 people in the U.S. donate a living kidney every year.© Orawan Pattarawimonchai via Shutterstock
Last December, authorsMario Macis andElizabeth Plummerpublishedan article inJAMA Internal Medicine aiming to change that reality.
The following conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.
Gizmodo:What compelled you to team up for this unique blend of an article?
It was like seeing into a world that most of us dont even know exists.
This was an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding.
And Marios knowledge of the donation process and system is outstanding.
It seemed like a great partnership.
Macis:As an economist, I have always been very interested in understanding markets where persistent shortages exist.
This is the case for blood donations in many countries and organ donations around the world.
From a public finance perspective, this shortage also imposes a substantial burden on taxpayers.
Plummer:Most people remember the old days when surgery was worse for the donor than the recipient.
While everyones experience is different, I had little pain and returned to work a week later.
People who have physically-demanding jobs will of course need to be off work longer.
But thats not the case at all.
Donor chains can be between different transplant centers and can involve any number of donors and recipients.
You just want to donate.
Transplant centers will find someone who you match withand there will definitely be someone.
Another misconception is that you have to be young.
Healthy people over 60 can be excellent donor candidates.
In fact, some things are even more in their favor.
Many are retired and dont have children to care for.
Their lifetime odds of kidney disease can be lower than that of a younger person.
Last, the medical teams who assess donor candidates work independently from the teams who assess recipients.
This helps prevent any pressure being applied to the donor or the donors medical team.
These financial burdens can amount to tens of thousands of dollars and discourage many willing donors from proceeding.
Beyond direct cost reimbursement, additional protections are necessary to eliminate financial and non-financial risks for donors.
Estimates indicate that each additional kidney transplant saves American taxpayers about $150,000.
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Gizmodo:Hows Elizabeth doing these days?
Plummer:Im doing great.
The whole donation process seems like a lifetime ago.
I used to love those!
My cousin is doing very wellor at least her kidney is.
She no longer needs dialysis, which used to take 12 hours every night and required her husbands help.
She feels better and stronger.
But so far, her body seems to love its new kidney.
We are both happy we did it.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
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