Consequently, the demand for organs far outstrips the supply. Nearly 69,000 patients are waiting for transplants of a heart, liver, kidney or other organs. This year, only 20,000 organs are expected to be donated. About 5,000 will die waiting. The cure, of course, is more donor organs.
Transplant experts say the key is in discovering new ways to expand the organ pool.
Imagawa argues there is no evidence of a significant degree of risk of transmission of hepatitis C through donated hearts or kidneys. The use of such organs could increase donations 5 percent to 10 percent, Imagawa says. Performing split-liver transplants, in which a child receives a small portion of a liver from a related adult. The liver graft then regenerates. Such transplants have substantially reduced the waiting list of children in need of transplants, according to Imagawa.