Jenny Pan, MD, at the Houston V.A. Living Donor Kidney Transplant Program, talks about a kidney transplant program for veterans.
Interview conducted by Ivanhoe Broadcast News in 2023.
Can you tell us a little bit about V.A.’s relationship with the DOVE Program and how those results benefit veterans?
Pan: DOVE is an innovative program that was started by Sharyn Kreitzer. Their mission is to connect potential kidney donors who want to donate to a veteran specifically. Sharyn used to work at another transplant center, and we established a connection when she worked at the Bronx VA. When she started DOVE, she reached out to us, and we established a great partnership with them where potential donors who call into the DOVE program are matched with veterans who are on our VA, Houston transplant waitlist. Through the DOVE program, we’re able to bring in these donors and evaluate them to see if they are candidates for kidney donation and if they’re a match for our veterans. Through our partnership with DOVE, just this last year, we had our first DOVE living kidney donation pair. That’s Mr. David Hardaway and his donor, Ms. Amanda Holton. Since then, we have been receiving more and more referrals from the DOVE program for donors who are interested in donating to veterans who are on our waitlist. It’s been a blessing for our veterans who have done so much for their communities, and for the country, because it allows them to receive this lifesaving procedure much sooner and helps us to help them come off dialysis and live a fuller and longer life.
Why do you think so many veterans are in urgent need of live kidney donations?
Pan: Many of our veterans have chronic medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and other medical issues that may have directly resulted from their time in the military. These medical conditions increase their risk of developing kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease to where they need a kidney transplant. In the United States, right now, there just aren’t enough good-quality kidney organs for all the patients who are on the waitlist, so the wait time is quite long. On average, it’s between three to five years after starting dialysis that a veteran may receive a kidney offer. In certain geographic locations like Houston and for patients with certain blood types the wait may be significantly longer.
Who qualifies to donate their kidney?
Pan: Most people are born with two kidneys and with people who are healthy, who do not have chronic medical conditions, that put them at risk for developing kidney disease themselves. They can donate a kidney and do very well medically and go on to have a great quality of life. Kidney donation as a lifesaving procedure has been around for decades. We have information data follow-up of these donors to tell us that they have a great experience after donation.
Can you tell us a little bit about Mr. Hardaway and how we connected with him and his donor?
Pan: Mr. Hardaway was referred to us by his local VA as a potential kidney recipient. Several years ago, we brought Mr. Hardaway to Houston for evaluation to see if he was medically stable and medically optimized for kidney transplantation. He was one of the veterans who was on our transplant waitlist waiting for a kidney transplant. Mr. Hardaway was able to connect with the DOVE Program and through the DOVE Program, they matched him up with Ms. Amanda Holton, who had a brother who had kidney disease, and who also needed a transplant before himself before he passed away. She felt like it was her calling to donate to another veteran in need. Through our partnership with the DOVE Program, they referred Ms. Holton to us for evaluation. Within a couple of months after her first visit to Houston for her medical evaluation, we were able to determine that it was safe for her to donate and that she was a match for Mr. Hardaway. We were able to get that transplant scheduled and completed as our first DOVE kidney transplant pair.
Is there an age limit, like a minimum age, or maximum age for someone to donate a kidney?
Pan: There is a minimum age that is set by UNOS. It is 18 years old. As an adult, you are eligible to be an organ donor. Certain transplant centers may decide that their minimum age cutoff is a little bit higher as we want someone to be more established in their life and their medical follow-up before they make that very important decision about donating a kidney. As far as a maximum age for donation, there is no maximum age. It depends on the donor and what their health condition is.
Can you tell us why it’s special to care for veterans? Why are veterans a special group?
Pan: I always tell my patients, everyone that I see that I am so thankful that I can work at a VA where I can care for our veterans who have done so much to serve our country. I’m happy that I took a small part in their transplant journey and helped them through that process. It’s my way of giving back to those who have given so much for us and our country.
END OF INTERVIEW
This information is intended for additional research purposes only. It is not to be used as a prescription or advice from Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. or any medical professional interviewed. Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the depth or accuracy of physician statements. Procedures or medicines apply to different people and medical factors; always consult your physician on medical matters.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Sharyn Kreitzer
sharynkreitzer@dovetransplant.org
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