Because there is a shortage of donated organs, patients must wait for an organ. Waiting times can differ for each patient.
Average (median) waiting times to transplant - in days
| Organ | Adults | Paediatric |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney 1 | 1110 | 277 |
| Kidney & Pancreas 2 | 217 | * |
| Heart 3 | 184 | 93** |
| Lung 3 | 519 | * |
| Liver 3 | 149 | 86 |
| * too few cases to provide ** based on less than 100 cases |
||
1 Based on patient registrations in the UK, 1 Jan 2003 – 31 Dec 2006
2 Based on patient registrations (including pancreas only) in the UK, 1 Apr 2004 – 31 Mar 2008
3 Based on patient elective registrations in the UK, 1 Apr 2006 – 31 Mar 2009
Some patients and their families may decide to opt for a living donor transplant.
"I support organ donation because transplants give a seriously ill person a second chance. When we die our earthly bodies are of no further use to us; I feel we all have an obligation to help someone else's life go on."
Michael J. McGivern
Cardiac rehabilitation/support practitioner