According to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, the number of organ transplants performed in 2020 was 39,034. That number decreased from 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict mandates placed on many surgical procedures for a large part of the year, including transplants.
With a renewed sense of hope and a gradual return to normalcy for 2021, organ donation and the number of life-saving transplants performed should rebound.
At CTVS, we are committed to sharing the importance of organ donation now more than ever, and especially during April as it is National Donate Life Month. National Donate Life Month encourages all Americans to register as official organ, eye or tissue donors.
Every nine minutes someone new is added to the national transplant waiting list. One single organ donor can save up to eight lives, according to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.
The most commonly transplanted organs in the United States are the kidney, liver, heart, and lungs.
Our team of board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in heart transplants. CTVS was the first practice to perform a heart transplant in Central Texas back in 1986, and we have performed hundreds of life-saving transplants since then.
All of our patients are near and very dear to our hearts, but especially those who undergo delicate and life-saving heart transplant surgery. We are overjoyed that they are granted a second lease on life through their new heart and are able to share their stories with us of returning to the things they love…like just being a mom or hiking with family.
To find out if you are a good candidate for organ donation or for general questions, check out these common FAQs. More information regarding organ donation specifically during COVID-19 can be found here.
For questions about any of our cardiac and heart health services, please visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment.
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