1,000 of the hardest-to-match patients have received a kidney transplant through national program

July 25, 2024 – One thousand kidney transplants have now been facilitated through the Canadian Blood Services’ Highly Sensitized Patient Program (HSP), operated in collaboration with Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life and other provincial donation and transplant programs across the country. These 1,000 kidney transplants represent 1,000 people who very likely would not have otherwise received a transplant because they needed a very specific match.

The Highly Sensitized Patient program, which was launched in 2013, gives provincial transplant programs access to a larger national pool of kidney donors for highly sensitized patients.

“Being able to offer this group of patients who would otherwise reject almost all of the organs that become available, is a game-changer because it offers hope and a second chance,” said Dr. Julie Ho, (Interim) Medical Director, Transplant Manitoba. “These patients must have a perfect organ match. Finding a match for these patients is challenging and without the HSP program, it may take up to 15 years on average to find, if at all.”

What does being highly sensitized mean?

‘Highly sensitized’ means that the patients have exceptionally high antibody levels that will cause them to reject a kidney from most donors. This makes it very difficult to find a suitable donor match. Immune system sensitization may be a result of blood transfusions, previous transplants or pregnancies.

About 20 per cent of patients on provincial waitlists are highly sensitized and need a kidney transplant. Yet, these same patients historically receive nearly less than one per cent of available organs. With access to a limited number of donors in their home province, highly sensitized patients wait much longer for a kidney transplant than less sensitized patients and have a greater chance of becoming more ill or dying while they wait. By providing access to donors across the country, the HSP increases the chances of possibly finding kidney transplants for these patients.

Fifty-two of the 1,000 patients were Manitobans who received kidneys via the HSP through Transplant Manitoba at HSC Winnipeg, while 44 individuals donated kidneys through the local organization.

Learn more about HSP and the milestone here: blood.ca/hsp1000.

We encourage all Canadians to register their decision to become an organ and tissue donor and to share their decision with their family and loved ones. Spread awareness of organ and tissue donation in your community and join us as we work towards a day when no one in Canada dies while waiting for a transplant.

Learn more about deceased donation and how you can register your intent to donate at organtissuedonation.ca or go to signupforlife.ca to register in Manitoba. To date, more than 70,000 Manitobans have registered using the online donor registry. Registration takes about two minutes to complete and only requires three things – your name, your date and your nine-digit Manitoba Health number.

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