LLU Breaks Record

LOMA LINDA>> On Tuesday, March 21, Loma Linda University set a record breaking stream of 11 patients transplants within five days. The first transplant occurred on Monday, Feb. 27 and on Wednesday, March 1, the hospital transplanted six new organs into five patients, all within 24 hours. “We're so thankful to the physicians and staff at the Transplantation Institute as well as the Medical Center, including the staff of the operating rooms and units that were involved in this process," said Dr. Michael De Vera, MD, director of the Transplantation Institute. The Loma Linda University Transplantation Institute has has now set a personal record for most solid organs transplanted within five days and most organs transplanted within a 24-hour period. The patients, who ranged from ages 13 to 70 years old, and are now free of the burden of living out their lives waiting for new organs. "While the availability of organs is unpredictable, we are prepared to meet this high demand,” Vera said. All eleven of the organs received, which included five kidneys and one liver, were donated to the hospital. "Transplant is a teamwork specialty," Vera said. "These patients can't get served without everyone's help and commitment.”