Hamilton Hospital Urges for More Living Kidney Donors as 100+ Patients Await Life-Saving Transplants

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is calling for more living kidney donors as over 100 people wait for a life-saving kidney transplant. Despite carrying out up to 160 transplants each year, only about 30% of these are from living donors. The hospital’s medical lead, Dr. Seychelle Yohanna, emphasized that while the program is growing, the supply of living donor kidneys is still insufficient to meet the rising demand. As the number of patients on the waiting list continues to increase, the hospital is urging the public to consider becoming living kidney donors.

The Growing Need for Kidney Transplants

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, a pioneer in kidney transplants, recently marked 51 years since performing its first living donor kidney transplant. Over the decades, the hospital’s living donor kidney transplant program has flourished, but the demand for transplants now far outpaces the available supply of organs.

The hospital carries out between 120 to 160 kidney transplants annually, but only 30% of these come from living donors. This limited supply means that hundreds of patients remain on waiting lists, hoping for a match.

“We’re working tirelessly to increase access to kidney transplants,” Dr. Seychelle Yohanna, the medical lead of the program, told CBC Hamilton. “But there simply aren’t enough organs to meet the demand.”

In Hamilton, approximately 120 people are currently on the hospital’s kidney transplant waitlist. However, across Canada, that number swells to around 3,000 individuals in need of life-saving kidney transplants.

Why Living Kidney Donors Are Crucial

Dr. Yohanna emphasizes that living kidney donors offer the best chance for patients with kidney failure. A living donor kidney transplant is the best treatment, offering patients additional years of life, and the transplanted kidneys tend to last longer.

The average life expectancy of a kidney from a living donor is about 20 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor typically lasts 10 to 15 years. The longer lifespan of living donor kidneys significantly improves the quality of life for patients, allowing them to avoid years of dialysis while they wait for a deceased donor transplant.

Moreover, living kidney transplants have the added benefit of offering a better match for the recipient, which increases the likelihood of long-term success. For many patients, this means the difference between life and death, as waiting times for deceased donor kidneys can be long, and not all patients make it through the wait.

The Growing Challenge of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease, particularly end-stage kidney failure, is becoming an increasing problem in Canada. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the number of people diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease continues to rise. This surge in cases has contributed to the growing waitlist for kidney transplants.

In 2022 alone, 117 people died while waiting for a kidney transplant in Canada. These statistics highlight the urgency of addressing the organ shortage and encouraging more individuals to consider becoming living kidney donors.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Kidney Transplant Programs

The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on organ donation and transplant programs. Many healthcare resources were redirected to managing the pandemic, which caused delays in transplant surgeries and a reduction in available living donors. Dr. Yohanna noted that the hospital is now working to recover from these setbacks, but the ongoing challenge of a limited supply of living donor kidneys remains.

“We’re seeing the impact of the pandemic on the number of available transplants,” Yohanna said. “However, we continue to push forward with efforts to increase living donation options.”

How to Become a Living Kidney Donor

Becoming a living kidney donor is a generous and life-saving decision. Dr. Yohanna encourages individuals who are healthy and meet the necessary criteria to consider becoming donors. The process involves a thorough screening to ensure that both the donor and recipient are suitable candidates for the transplant.

The screening process includes medical evaluations, psychological assessments, and counseling to ensure that the donor fully understands the procedure and its potential risks. Donors are also given the option of staying anonymous, ensuring their privacy if desired.

While many people are hesitant about living kidney donation due to concerns over the risks involved, Dr. Yohanna reassures the public that the procedure is generally safe. “Kidney donation is a well-established, low-risk procedure,” she explained. “The recovery time is relatively short, and the vast majority of donors lead healthy, normal lives afterward.”

The Path Forward

As St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton continues to advocate for living kidney donation, the need for more donors has never been greater. With over 100 people waiting for a transplant at the hospital and thousands more across Canada, the call for action is urgent.

Dr. Yohanna remains hopeful that increased awareness and education about the benefits of living kidney donation will help address the shortage. “We’re working hard to encourage more people to consider living donation as a way to save lives and improve the quality of life for kidney disease patients.”

For those interested in becoming a living kidney donor or learning more about the process, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton provides resources and support for potential donors.