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The first ever successful organ transplant was done in 1950 by Dr. Richard Lawler. This transplant was a kidney to Ruth Tucker, a 44-year-old woman who had polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
This advancement has greatly improved the success of organ transplants as well as overall healthcare advancements. This operation was done before immunosuppressant drugs and tissue typing was discovered. This transplant allowed for new drug discoveries and further transplantation studies.
(Rietveld). -
A Tissue Bank is a place that collects human cadaver tissues for the purpose of medical research. The first Tissue Bank began in 1949.
The first Tissue Bank allowed for the idea of others to open. Tissue Banks are important in order to study how human tissue adapts and how implanting a new organ can affect the body tissues. This is very important, and has helped minimize organ rejection in donors.
(“About the American Association of Tissue Banks | American Association of Tissue Banks”). -
On May 5th, 1963, the first successful liver transplant was performed by Thomas Starzl. This was the first time that a patient had survived this procedure.
This event has led to the idea that not only kidneys could be transplanted. Due to this transplant being successful, more people offered more ideas on how to improve, and what other organs could be transplanted successfully.
(“First Successful Liver Transplant”). -
The UAGA (Uniform Anatomical Gift Act) was passed. It set a framework for the donation of organs after death.
The UAGA helps regulate body donations to science, medicine, and education. Without the formation of the UAGA, the definition of donation would not be as expanded as it is today. With this act, more people are allowed to donate and the process is much more organized. The UAGA being passed has allowed easier access to organs for both those in need and those looking to donate.
(Martinez). -
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant drug that was discovered in the lab of Sandoz in Switzerland in 1972.
This drug has drastically changed the world of transplants for the better. Cyclosporine is used to prevent organ rejection after a transplant. It has helped transplants become generally more successful.
(Tedesco and Lukas Haragsim). -
UNO'S was founded in order to manage the national transplant waiting list, match donors to recipients, and maintain the database that contains all organ transplant data for every transplant event that occurs in the U.S.
This organization helps to quickly match the donor to the recipient in order to maximize the chance for organ acceptance. This has promoted successful organ donations all around the country.
(“UNOS | United Network for Organ Sharing | US Organ Transplantation”). -
The National Organ Transplant Act was passed in order to address the nations critical organ donation shortage and to improve the organ matching process.
This act has helped the progress of organ transplantation by establishing a network, that must be operated by a private organization under federal contract, to keep the organ registry organized and easy to maintain.
(“History and NOTA - OPTN”). -
Certified Tissue Bank Specialist is the only professional designation specifically for the tissue banking community.
This program allows for individuals who want to work in the tissue Banking or organ transplantation fields to get their certification. This has not only allowed for more jobs, but it has also provided more attention to organ donations and allows for more funding and recognition.
(“Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) Certification | American Association of Tissue Banks”). -
The HRSA program was launched with two main goals in mind: 1) identify and promote the best practices in organ donation for hospitals, and 2) raise the overall donor consent rate to 75 percent among participating hospitals.
This program made organ donations cheaper and easier to access for low income individuals who needed transplants. It allows everyone to have equal opportunity of treatment.
(“Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative | the Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance”). -
The AAKH was created and passed with three goals in mind: (1) reducing the risk of kidney failure; (2) improving access to and the quality of person-centered treatment options; and (3) increasing access to kidney transplants.
This order helped increase the accessibility of kidneys for patients needing transplants. This act helped organ transplants become easier to access for everyone.
(Lentine and Mannon).
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