Transplant Society Aims For More Kidney Donations

January 2, 2004

VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Transplant Society says it's trying a new way to increase the number of kidney transplants.

Until now, live kidney donors have been restricted to relatives or people closely associated with the intended recipient.

But the Society says the demand for kidneys far exceeds the supply.

Society spokesman Sally Greenwood says as a result, her group will conduct a pilot project to determine the feasibility of using anonymous donors.

She says research has shown there are people who, for altruistic reasons, would like to donate a kidney to help a stranger.

The Transplant Society also reports that the number of organ transplants performed in 2003 rose to 202, up from 189 in 2002.

This article posted January 27, 2004.