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El Paso Surgeon Advocates for Living Kidney Donations to Reduce Wait Times

KVIA••Ilyhanee Robles
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In El Paso, many patients with chronic kidney disease face a daunting wait of three to five years for a transplant, primarily due to conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Dr. Jennifer George, an abdominal transplant surgeon, highlights the benefits of living kidney donations, which can significantly shorten wait times and offer better long-term outcomes. Living donor kidneys can function for about 20 years, compared to just 8 to 10 years for deceased donors. With nearly 100,000 people nationwide awaiting organ transplants, Dr. George urges those at risk to consult healthcare providers for early screening and evaluation.

Key Details: • Living kidney donations can reduce transplant wait times from 3-5 years. • Living donor kidneys last approximately 20 years compared to 8-10 years for deceased donor kidneys. • Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease should seek early evaluation.

el-paso health chronic-disease transplant kidney-donation

People & Organizations

El PasoDr. Jennifer George

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