2021: A Record-Setting Year
Hello everyone,
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your holiday season! I just finished wrapping up my semester, and I'm really looking forward to enjoying winter break. Anyway, let's get right into it.
40,000 Transplants in One Year
On Dec. 17, 2021, the U.S. officially surpassed 40,000 transplants in one year, a historic first for the nation!
2020 marked the 10th consecutive record-breaking year for organ donations from deceased donors and the 8th in a row for deceased donor transplants.
“Reaching 40,000 organ transplants in a single year is a testament to the lifesaving work being done day in and day out that makes our donation and transplantation system the highest performing in the world,” said Matthew Cooper, M.D., president of the UNOS Board of Directors. “It is also a testament to the generosity of so many inspiring donors and their courageous families who gave the gift of life.
This is absolutely great news that I'm overjoyed to hear–I hope we continue to break records each year!
The 2021 HOSA Challenge
Michigan Health Occupation Students of America – known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals – have just completed their fourth statewide competition to register new organ and tissue donors and inspire support for organ and tissue donation. I did this competition when I was in high school, and this year high school students across the state signed up nearly 1,000 new donors! I'm glad this challenge is still bearing fruit.
The HOPE Act becomes Law
Many thanks to Governor Whitmer for signing the HOPE Act into law on 12/17! This law allows Michigan patients living with HIV to receive new life through donated organs from HIV+ donors.
Many thanks to State Representative Felicia Brabec for sponsoring this important legislation!
That's it for this month! Thank you all for reading and I'll see you next time.
