Health

Longest Kidney Donation Chain Saves 30, Now Broken

It all started with a good Samaritan and a pay-it-forward attitude: the concept of a kidney donation chain was born. In what is being heralded as proof of this donation technique’s success, the world’s longest kidney donation chain recently ended but not before it saved 30 lives.

In August, Rick Ruzzamenti, 44, made the unprecedented decision to donate his kidney to a stranger — an organ that many wait for five to 10 years before finding a match. The Daily Mail reports that Ruzzamenti’s kidney went to a 66-year-old man from New Jersey whose niece had wanted to donate, but she was not a blood match. So what did she do? Turned around and donated her kidney to a stranger who would be a match. And so the process went from one person to another with 60 total donors and recipients — that’s 30 lives saved.

Longest Kidney Donation Chain Ends but Saved 30

World's longest kidney donation chain donors and recipients. (Image: New York Times)

The last donation came from a 59-year-old woman to recipient Donald Terry, 47, who did not have a relative to keep the chain going on his behalf. According to a statement, this chain, along with several others, started at Loyola University Medical Center. Of the 13 chains that began at Loyola, seven were started by employees of this medical institution — five donated to strangers, two to acquaintances. It is reported that Loyola is the only place in the world that has such a high density of employees that have donated kidneys to non-relatives.

(Related: 3-year-old denied kidney transplant due to mental retardation receives slew of online support)

Watch this local ABC affiliate report about the longest transplant chain:

Here are a few personal stories (via the statement) of those involved with the longest-transplant chain:

Paulette’s Story: 12th Link in World’s Longest Kidney Transplant Chain

Longest Kidney Donation Chain Ends but Saved 30

(Photo: Loyola University Medical Center)

Paulette Behan of West Chicago, Ill., and her younger sister, Sunni Stupka of Baldwyn, Miss., are very close.

They text every day and talk at least once a week. So when Sunni learned that Paulette needed a kidney transplant, she was eager to donate one of hers.

But Sunni‘s kidney didn’t match Paulette’s immune system. If Sunni donated to Paulette, her kidney would be rejected.

“It broke my heart,” Sunni said. “I felt like a failure, like I had let her down.”

Then the sisters learned about an innovative kidney transplant chain available at Loyola University Medical Center. Transplant surgeon Dr. John Milner explained that Paulette could receive a kidney from a donor in Pittsburgh who matched her. In return, Sunni would promise to donate a kidney to a matching patient in California. Paulette became the 12th link in what would become the world’s longest kidney transplant chain.

The kidney from the Pittsburgh donor was flown to Loyola from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Four days after Milner transplanted the kidney into Paulette, Loyola’s Chair of Surgery, Dr. Paul Kuo, removed a kidney from Sunni. Sunni’s donated kidney then was flown to a waiting patient at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Don’s Story:  Final Link in Record-breaking Kidney Transplant Chain

Don Terry of Joliet, Ill., is the 30th and last recipient in the world’s longest kidney-transplant chain.

Terry, 46, has Type 2 diabetes. His kidneys began to fail two years ago, and he went on dialysis in January 2011. He was put on a transplant waiting list and told it could take as long as 5 to 10 years.

Terry has a full-time job with the U.S. Social Security Administration. Being on dialysis, he said, was like having a second, part-time job.

A diabetes patient on dialysis typically does not have a long life expectancy. Terry worried that he might not live to see his 50th birthday. “What bothered me the most was the possibility of leaving family members like my mom and dad by themselves, and having them see their son pass away from an excruciating disease,” he said.

Then Terry read about Loyola University Medical Center’s participation in kidney transplant chains, which are designed to eliminate waiting times for kidneys. Terry made an appointment with Dr. John Milner, one of the nation’s leading transplant-chain surgeons.

A kidney became available from a donor in California who matched Terry. The surgery was successful, and Terry recently returned to work.

“I think I have more energy now than I had when I was in my 20s,” he said.” I have made it my life’s mission to make people aware of kidney chains.”

Donation chains such as these are what Loyola transplant surgeon John Milner calls “the best way for patients with incompatible donors to be transplanted quickly and with the best results.”

In its Sunday feature on the donation chain, the New York Times states there are currently 90,000 people waiting for kidneys; only 17,000 of whom will get a one each year. The Times also reports that donor kidneys account for a third of kidneys given to patients in need — these kidneys often last longer than those taken from deceased individuals.

The Times reports that this longest donor chain spanned 11 states and involved 17 hospitals over a four month period.

Comments (17)

  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:39am

    Chicago,Ill. … One of the most corrupt state-govt., but one of The many great groups of U.S.A. Americans! ! ! ! There is NO other country in this world whic does this with the ultimate private donations…no mandates, no coorsion, no forced gene-pool…just spontanious [want-to-help]. The U.S.A./America IS the only [out-of -the-box] country!!

    Report Post »  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:38am

    For information, which hospitals perform this work? What is the cost for the donor, and the recipient? What is the recovery period for the donor?

    Report Post »  
  • bloomytoad
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:35am

    I’ve been waiting almost 3 years for a new kidney. Its a frustrating experience. I’m O negative, which means I don’t advance on the list very fast. I do believe that at end of life organ donation should be opt out instead of opt in, but you should still have a choice.

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:15am

    God Bless all who do good. In a world where hate and evil are trying to destroy freedom, love, and goodness, it is so wonderfull to hear stories like this. It lifts our hearts, and makes us feel we can do something special too, even if it isn’t to donate a kidney. (or other organ) We can all do something-we just need to figure it out. If nothing else we can talk about it , and tell other people and inspire them. I hope many, many years of life and love on these good people.

    Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:28am

    I meant to say a person in the eyes of the so called panels who does NOT contribute to society. Sorry. It is a subject that I am very passionate about.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • ramakant
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 1:59am

    Hi i am Ramakant, from India, in Good Health, Ready to Donate my Kidney, Blood Group A -ve, contact me on +91-9028016171 or my mail rmakantl@gmail.com

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:07am

      RAMAKANT: God Bless you. Receiving a kidney is blessing. Thank-you for being willing to do this.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • freelancer91
    Posted on February 21, 2012 at 12:42am

    I’m saving my kidneys for a special occasion…….

    Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:06am

      God Bless you. Having had a kidney transplant myself I can not express to you the difference it has made in my life. My salute to those who have donated any organ. Thank-you for being willing to donate.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • icedmocha
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 3:00pm

      Pamela, I think Freelancer91 was trying to be flip or humorous. “…saving for a special occasion”

      It was cute Freelancer, but not in particularly good taste considering the subject matter of the article: Live-saving Organ Donations!

      Report Post » icedmocha  
  • ZeroOff4impact
    Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:33pm

    Sadly this government could mandate you donate for the good of the collective.

    Report Post » ZeroOff4impact  
    • LauraPZ
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 12:16am

      Unfortunately, that might be our future.
      My Grandfather, needed- and was given, a kidney @ 71. It gave him seven extra years, of mostly great health. Only at the end, did he have trouble. I would have donated one of mine- but b/c I was only 17, no MD would consider it. Our family, was very lucky, indeed.
      For many years, I was a Donor on my DL. However, since I have seen, firsthand, people allowed to die, for their organs- I no longer will allow that- on me, or my family.
      Allowing lawyers and insurance companies- and multi-national corporations to run hospitals, have all but destroyed Medicine. It seems that barry obama, will complete the task.
      I went into Medicine, for several reasons. Working for free, and being in lifelong debt, were not amongst them. Perhaps I’ll set-up shop in Costa Rica? I don’t need the money, but I do still enjoy cutting people open- and saving them (almost always). I’ll donate my services, when I choose- NOT when I’m told to by the federal government.
      I am NOT saying that I would not donate to someone else- but it will be by MY CHOICE, period.

      Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:21am

      ZEROOFF4IMPACT, My fear is that many of us who have received organ donations will be considered a person who makes a contribution to society. My insurance is sky high but great coverage. I am worried under the government HC that many of us will not be able to recieve our meds due to the high cost. According to the charts that I have seen and the information I have read I would be considered one of those people along with many others. Allot of us are diabetic, have some heart problems, etc. Not to mention the risk of rejection or getting cancer from the anti-rejection meds that are necessary for our suvival. Fortunately for me , I am not diabetic, suffer from hardly any other major health problems so far. However my problems are caused by an unidentified audo-immune disease that runs in my family so the risk of loosing this kidney is likely down the road. I have four and a half years under my belt and hope to get at last ten or more. I had a live donar and I am so fortunate. If you saw how these people have suffered you would have a better understanding. God bless all who have donated and all of the receipents. It gives you hope to know how many wonderful people there are in the world today.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • DeOppressoLiber
    Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:24pm

    A perfect example of Free Will doing good. No forced oppressive collective salvation here.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:55pm

    …
    God bless those folks.

    Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:28pm

      yep, they better be gratefull obamacare has not gone into effect………..the government would disalow for some ungodly reason

      Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 6:24am

      LEADNOTFOLLOW: Amen!

      Report Post » pamela kay  

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