UMass Memorial Division of Organ Transplantation

Please join us at our Kidney Transplant support group on Wednesday August 14th from 4-5pm! This group meets both in person and/or virtually via Zoom.

Speaker- Anna Mooradian, RD, LDN

Topic- Plant Based Diet on Kidney Health

If you would like to join us, please call our Social Workers directly. Rose Quigley, MSW, LCSW, CCTSW at 774-443-7613 OR
Ryan Schwartz, MSW, LCSW at 774-441-6626

*Our support group is run by our Transplant Social Workers and occurs on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm*

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy New Year!

Happy Holidays from the UMass Transplant Team! We wish you a season filled with joy, warmth and love. Here's to good health, happiness, and a wonderful New Year!

What an amazing milestone for the first time we had over 500 donors and donor families from New England. The UMass Division of Transplant is both grateful and honored to have been a part of this amazing gift of life.

Every day should be World Kindness Day!!!

Thank you, to our Veterans. We honor you every day.

Yesterday, we had the incredible privilege of joining the "Blue and Green Walk" at Polar Park in Worcester, where our hearts were warmed by the incredible spirit of community and collaboration. (we won't discuss the weather) 💙💚

Walking together, we celebrated the gift of life, honoring those who have given and received the incredible gift of organ donation. We also took a moment to remember those who have left a lasting legacy through their selfless generosity.

The Blue and Green Walk is more than just "a walk"; it's a reminder of the boundless potential of humanity. Let's continue to spread awareness, educate, and inspire, so that more lives can be touched and transformed by the gift of life.

A special shout out to all who participated, to those who donated, and to Shaun and Yvette Dyson for always being so supportive and to our own Dr. Fan who is UMass Memorial Transplants, Medical Director and his amazing wife who placed first in the 5K!!!!

Together, we can make a difference. 💪💙💚

Our hearts are with the people of Lewiston, ME and the surrounding communities. Please stay safe.

We invite you, your family, and friends to join Team UMass Memorial Health in the upcoming NEDS Blue and Green Walk/Run in support of organ and tissue donation. This year's walk will take place on Sunday, October 29th at 8:00am at Polar Park in our hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. To join our team, click the link: https://www.classy.org/team/522354

During this month, we celebrate the rich culture, history, and traditions of Hispanic Americans. We also reflect on the challenges that Hispanic Americans have faced and continue to face, and we work to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Happy Nephrology Nurse Week!

To all the nephrology nurses out there, thank you for your hard work, compassion, and dedication. You make a difference in the lives of your patients every day!

We will never forget. Today we remember thousands of those who became the unfortunate victims of this tragic attack and heroic actions taken by those who responded to this tragedy.

Well, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the "soggy" summer of 2023. However, it looks as if we are in for a heat wave over the long holiday weekend. So, stay cool, safe, and healthy, and most of all have fun! (remember to hydrate if you're outside to long). See you in the "fall".

We invite you, your family, and friends to join Team UMass Memorial Health in the upcoming NEDS Blue and Green Walk/Run in support of organ and tissue donation. This year's walk will take place on Sunday, October 29th at 8:00am at Polar Park in our hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Blue and Green Walk is a great opportunity to honor donors and their families, and to show our continued support for organ and tissue donation. It is also a fun and inspiring event that brings together people from all walks of life.
There are many ways to participate in the Blue and Green Walk. You can walk, run, or volunteer. You can also create your own team or join an existing team.
If you are interested in participating, please visit our website at https://www.classy.org/team/522354 to register or scan the QR code located on the attached flyer. The registration fee is $25 per person.
We hope you will join us for this important event. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need organ and tissue transplants.

Thank You!!!

Support comes in many shapes and forms. During one patient’s recent visit, it looks like her adorable four-year-old grandson accompanying her during her post liver transplant appointment… dressed as a doctor, of course. 🥼🩺 We welcomed patient Adelaida Morales Rodriguez to #UMassMemorial one year ago. A few months later, she underwent a life-altering liver transplant, which rekindled her vitality and brightened her health journey and all of life’s opportunities ahead. Adelaida, we are touched to see you thriving and growing stronger each day! Tap ❤️ if you’d love a caring visit from Dr. Adorable. 📸: @umassdivisionoforgantransplant

Paging Dr. Adorable! This Adorable Little Guy Brought Smiles to Faces at UMass Memorial's Post Liver Transplant Clinic

This sweet little guy brought smiles to the faces of everyone at UMass Memorial's post liver transplant clinic last week when he came dressed as a physician. Dr. A's grandmother is a recent liver transplant recipient who was referred to our program from our colleagues at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He wanted to show his support for her by dressing up as a doctor.

Dr. A's outfit was complete with a white coat, stethoscope, and clipboard. He made his rounds in our clinic, introducing himself to our physicians and caregivers and asking them how they were doing. He also made sure his grandmother was being well attended to.

The staff and other patients were all touched by Dr. A's gestures. They said it was a reminder of the importance of hope and healing. His grandmother was especially grateful for his support. She said it made her day to see him dressed up as a doctor.

Dr. A is an inspiration to us all. He shows us that even young children can make a difference in the world. He is a reminder that even amid challenges, there is always hope.

Thank you, Dr. A, for bringing so much joy to UMass Memorial last week! We are so grateful for your support.

(Featured in the are Drs. Savant Mehta (Medical Director of Liver Transplant) and L. Justin Belin, (Transplant Surgeon) )

Fact: the body only needs one kidney to live! Living donors offer healing by donating one of their kidneys to a patient in need. for more information on the living donation process click the link below:
https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/services-treatments/surgery/services-we-provide/organ-transplant-surgery/living-organ-donation/can-you-be-living-kidney-donor #:~:text=You%20may%20qualify%20to%20be,least%20a%20year%20after%20surgery

Reminder that tonight - August 3rd at 7 PM UMass Memorial Health and the National Kidney Registry will be holding a free Webinar: Let us help you or a loved one find a live kidney donor.
Please click link to register or if you have questions about this webinar, please feel free to contact the UMass Memorial Health transplant team at 508-334-2023.
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fkidneyregistry-org.zoom.us%2Fwebinar%2Fregister%2FWN_I-Wszz7HQVKWSzeAO-O9Vg%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1yVnYsdbIYvUkHQkp728KmwO_hYD6iyAuFfivK4akCX4v-x7hWvgYQ2rQ%23%2Fregistration&h=AT1dB_Ha3_jbvRAGCBM_ly-K02E3YutwvR7dw84qUJJ9PWsg1X2JC6GrgRpz1ha_t9Kc5lSF1B-oZFMTibrrtVU7-VdI3hpEukTfs3BFG9sJgYE-q83ZmgddU_nmRU3RA-U9&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2cIFxQ93dOUEyqr8w3XpIs4fPNOXYsrWhN9wabGU6OJg3KAQIF6FuHyHbrUAiX8nywlEQ-ZHf-nwv20Rkd4D3X1m8ctnU9ru033IXfvPWAwMieUcOe03bMwxITyP4JqFPuxvq6eCPmqdMFVV1OgOpHo-Ro4o3qMiE63Z3tgvOaCpLxNHvOU4VLnkFBup2IQKc1qZ_WvhtQ

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: UMass Memorial | NKR Patient Webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Join experts from the National Kidney Registry and UMass Memorial for this FREE webinar.

The love of family!

Yesterday was ! NEDS volunteer Charlene Canuel was a living liver donor to her cousin Stephen in 2018!

Stephen says he "was so incredibly moved when my cousin, Charlene, stepped forward and volunteered to be tested to be a living donor for me. Even though I was horribly ill, a part of me hoped she wouldn't be a match as I couldn't come to terms with someone putting themselves at risk for the sake of helping me. But she was a match, and through her amazing selflessness in risking herself and her well-being, the procedures went great. Now I'm doing extremely well and living my second life thanks to her. My outcome has been better than anyone could have expected, and I think that's because my new liver is from family! Charlene literally saved my life and gave me a chance to enjoy and live life again."

When recounting the experience, Charlene says that once she found out they were looking to see if someone would consider being a living donor for Stephen, she figured she would see if she was eligible. "UMASS Memorial was fantastic. They explained everything along the way. When we got the word that I was a match and it was a go, I knew it was meant to be! We are family, but we will forever be connected in a deeper way. My recovery was great, and Stephen has a new lease on life. Seeing him healthy and enjoying life again with his wife is the best gift of all!” UMass Memorial Medical Center Donate LIFE

The UMass Memorial Division of Organ Transplantation and the Department of Renal Medicine are very excited to welcome Dr. Eliot Heher as the newest member of our Kidney Transplant Team. Please join us in welcoming him aboard!

On August 3rd at 7 PM UMass Memorial Health and the National Kidney Registry will be holding a free Webinar: Let us help you or a loved one find a live kidney donor.
Please click link to register or if you have questions about this webinar, please feel free to contact the UMass Memorial Health transplant team at 508-334-2023.
https://kidneyregistry-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I-Wszz7HQVKWSzeAO-O9Vg #/registration

Happy Friday! We've updated the photo to include the QR code - just scan to purchase tickets!!

The UMass Memorial Transplant team would like to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July holiday weekend!

Mark your calendars!!!!! New England Donor Services comes to Polar Park in Worcester for the Blue and Green Walk / 5K - UMass Transplant Team is ready to go!

2023 MA Blue & Green Walk/5K The Blue & Green is a family-friendly event for the community to show up in support of New England Donor Services. Thousands of people are impacted every year by the lifesaving and life-enhancing gift of donation. Still thousands wait for an organ transplant. Join us to increase donation!

What a team - Dyson Strong! Your dedication and commitment inspire us each and every day! We also want to recognize our own UMass Memorial - Dr. Mary Flynn who serviced a Medical Chair at this year's Liver Life Walk. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated to such a great organization!

Yesterday, the world lost a legend, an icon, a fierce advocate for women around the world. Her life story was filled with ups and downs - she was a survivor. Many may not know this, but she was also a kidney transplant recipient. After years of uncontrolled hypertension her kidneys begin to fail, and she was forced to go on dialysis. Her husband stepped forward and offered to donate one of his kidney's. Below is how she described it in her own words.
"I'm happy to say that, thanks to my beloved husband, Erwin, giving me one of his kidneys, the gift of life, I'm in good health and loving life every day," she wrote. "I'm also thankful that I've not only survived but thrived so that I can pass on to you this book containing precious gifts that were given to me — the greatest gifts I can offer."
Rest in Peace. Ms. Tina Turner you were Simply The Best!

Compassionate care meets innovation!
The UMass Memorial Division of Organ Transplant has implemented the use of the TransMedics Organ System (Liver Perfusion Device or Liver in a Box) into clinical practice. This device revolutionizes the process of liver transplantation by providing a unique solution for preserving and transporting donor livers.

The liver perfusion pump is essentially a portable machine that mimics the physiological environment of the human body. It is specifically designed to maintain the liver in an optimal condition outside of the donor's body, thereby extending its viability and improving transplant success rates.

When a donor liver becomes available, it is immediately connected to the perfusion pump. The device regulates temperature, oxygen levels, and other crucial parameters to create an environment that closely resembles the conditions inside the human body. This ensures the liver remains functional and healthy during transportation from the donor site to the recipient hospital.

The perfusion pump offers several advantages over traditional methods of organ preservation. By maintaining the liver's natural physiology, it minimizes the risk of organ damage and dysfunction that can occur during transit. Additionally, the device allows for longer transportation times, enabling organs to be transported across longer distances, potentially expanding the pool of available organs for transplantation, and improving patient outcomes and saving more lives.