Blood Compatibility Reference Chart And How To Receive A Kidney Transplant From Incompatible Donor

 
Courtesy: Agnostic PK

Courtesy: Agnostic PK

 

The numbers are familiar, but they are still no less staggering. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network there are currently 123,989 people on their list in need of a "life saving donor." The Living Kidney Donor Network was a bit more specific, "Currently, there are over 93,000 people on the Kidney Transplant Waiting List. The wait for a deceased donor could be 5 years, and in some states, it is closer to 10 years." Hence, the importance of trying to connect with a Living Kidney Donor is obvious, right? A major obstacle for many needing a Kidney Transplant, however, has been Blood Type Compatibility.

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As you likely know, Living Kidney Donor recipients spend less time waiting for a Donor Kidney and face less risk of Transplantation Rejection. What's more, immediately upon transplantation 97% of Living Donor Kidneys are fully functional, versus 50-60% of deceased (cadaver) donor kidneys. A point of confusion for Chronic Kidney Disease patients is that they do not know which blood types they are a perfect match, and have no 1 quick reference resource. 

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Courtesy of Virginia Mason Hospital, find below a reliable chart that outlines which blood types are compatible: 

This alone should offer patients who desire a Kidney Transplant, more insights and empowerment. Print it this chart, or book mark this page for your quick reference.

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Unfortunately, about one-third (1/3) of Donors and Recipients have been declined due to the fact that they were incompatible blood types. Now, however, there is hope even among individuals who are not compatible! Transplant Centers such as the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), are conducting successful Kidney Transplants among Recipients and Donors who do not share matching blood types. Isn't that exciting?

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Initiated in just 2008, the UCLA Blood Type Incompatible Kidney Transplant Program uses an "innovative desensitization technique" to allow virtually anyone of any blood type to donate to any potential Kidney Transplant recipient. This means that your  friend or family member, no matter what blood type they are, "likely will be able to donate their kidney to you." 

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John's Hopkins also boasts of its program for Chronic Kidney Disease patients with living donors who do not have matching blood types. With their "pioneered" Plasmapheresis Method, the Transplant Center can remove "harmful antibodies prior to transplant." 

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Now that you know better you can do better: Go find your Living Kidney Donor! "It's not that simple," you may think; or perhaps, "Well, where do I start?" If you do not know where to turn to connect with potential living Kidney Donors, click here to let KidneyBuzz.com's experienced Team Members help you by developing your Find A Kidney Donor Social Media Campaign. Also, visit this website resource daily for the most Breaking News and Information about how Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetic patients can better manage their lives. 

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References:

"Virginia Mason Hospital & Medical Center." About Virginia Mason, Hospital, Medical Center and Clinics in Seattle, Washington.

"Blood Compatibility." Http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System.

"At a Glance." Http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

"Blood Group Incompatible Kidney Transplant." Http://transplants.ucla.edu/. UCLA Transplantation Services.