Transplants: Looking at Livers

Most of us think that organ transplants began in 1967 with the first heart transplant in South Africa.  But liver transplants were before then, with the first one on humans occurring in 1963 in the US. And you may not be aware that some liver transplants are performed with a living donor.

Over 2500 liver transplants have been done at the Penn Transplant Institute at Penn Medicine.  Its program is among the top 10 in the nation, with survival rates better than national averages. It is also one of the few places where multiple organ procedures, like liver-kidney or liver-lung transplants can be done. Penn was one of the earliest providers of liver transplants from living donors. 

Penn has done more than 10,000 transplants, including heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, uterine, and hands.  

Elaine Lander, a nurse practitioner for 25 years, has worked in liver transplant for many of them,  the last 10 at Penn.  She'll explain the importance of the liver, what is involved in a liver transplant, what happens when the liver transplant comes from a live donor.  

This will be on Zoom, open to all FitC members. Those registered will receive the link the day before. 

Questions? Contact mignon.adams@gmail.com