Top 8 Amazing Kidney Transplant Fun Facts: Unveiling the Science and Stories Behind This Life-Saving Procedure

1. Iranian Kidney Energizer Bunnies

Did you know Iranian kidneys could give Energizer bunnies a run for their money?: Well, it turns out that kidney transplant survival rates in Iran are quite impressive, with a one-year patient survival rate at 91.27%, five-year patient survival rate at 81.17%, and the 10-year gender-age adjusted patient survival rate at 78.15%, all comparable to the success rates in most developed countries!
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

2. Twin Kidney Wardrobe Swap

When identical twins decide to share not just their wardrobe but also their kidneys: They end up with excellent patient and graft survival rates! In fact, about 50% of recipients don't even need maintenance immunosuppression. But beware, kidney-sharers with glomerulonephritis – this sneaky condition can lower graft survival by staging a comeback party on your new kidney.
Source => pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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3. Living Dead Kidney Superstars

Who says you can't live twice? In the world of kidney transplants, it's the living dead who outshine their counterparts: Living donor kidney transplants boast a 98.11% 1-year national expected survival rate, compared to 94.88% for deceased donor transplants. Plus, living donor kidneys tend to last longer and function almost immediately post-surgery. Now that's what we call a kidney-to-kidney gift!
Source => templehealth.org

4. Millionaire Kidney Donors

Next time you're playing "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," just know that the answer may indeed be "Phone a kidney donor": In 2014, 5,537 selfless individuals in the U.S. heroically donated one of their kidneys, accounting for 32% of all kidney transplants, proving you can't put a price on the life-saving generosity of these kidney-sharing superstars.
Source => kidney.org

5. Kidney-Pool-Karaoke Buddies

Talk about being "kidney-pool-karaoke" buddies: In 2017, Francia Raisa donated her kidney to her best friend Selena Gomez, who was battling life-threatening complications from lupus – an autoimmune disease known to affect various parts of the body, including kidneys, putting 60% of lupus patients at the risk of kidney complications, as per the Lupus Foundation of America. Now that's a duet you don't witness every day!
Source => people.com

6. One-Kidney Altruism Boom

One kidney ain't too shabby when you're playing the organ tune of lifesaving: Living donor kidney transplants rose by 14.2% in 2021, totaling 6,541 procedures in the United States and showcasing the altruism of individuals offering their own organs for the benefit of others.
Source => beckershospitalreview.com

7. Pokémon Kidney Powerhouses

Kidneys: Gotta catch 'em all! In the thrilling game of organ transplants, living donor kidneys act as the rare, shiny Pokémon that amp up quality of life for 8 to 12 years, while deceased donor kidneys come in as the strong and steady sidekicks, flexing their functional powers for 12 to 20 years. What do these powerhouses bring to the battle? Improved survival rates, reduced treatment costs, and the ultimate freedom from the tyranny of dialysis.
Source => donatelife.net

8. Kidney Short, Penny Short

Kidney donors aren't exactly raking in the big bucks with extravagant "organ bonuses", in fact, they might find themselves a kidney short AND a penny short: Although the costs of donation surgery and post-operative care are generally covered by Medicare or private health insurance in the U.S., living kidney donors typically have to bear the burden of lost wages during recovery and travel expenses. But fear not, good Samaritans! The National Living Donor Assistance Program and organizations like the American Transplant Foundation are here to offer financial aid so you can still save a life without breaking the bank.
Source => kidney.org