Hamilton hospital appeals for living donors as more than 100 people await life-saving kidney transplants

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has been at the forefront of living donor kidney transplants for over 50 years. The hospital’s living kidney donor program has grown significantly over the years, with the program’s medical lead, Dr. Seychelle Yohanna, describing it as “large and flourishing.” However, despite the program’s success, there remains a significant gap between the number of organs available and the demand for transplants.

Yohanna highlighted the benefits of living donor kidney transplants, emphasizing that they are the best treatment for patients with kidney failure. Not only do these transplants offer patients several additional years of life, but the kidneys from living donors also tend to last longer. With the number of people in Canada with end-stage kidney disease on the rise, the need for living donor transplants has never been greater.

While efforts have been made to increase the number of living donors, Yohanna noted that progress has been slow. In response, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has implemented a one-day assessment clinic for potential kidney donors, significantly reducing the time it takes to screen donors. This approach has been adopted by other transplant centers in Ontario, helping to streamline the donation process.

One Hamilton family knows firsthand the impact of kidney disease, with multiple family members in need of transplants due to Alport syndrome. Charlene DaSilva, a member of the family, is advocating for more people to consider becoming living kidney donors. She emphasized the life-changing impact that a kidney donation can have, freeing patients from the burdens of dialysis and improving their quality of life.

Ricardo Ramirez, a Guelph resident, shared his experience of donating a kidney to his brother-in-law in 2023. Despite initial nerves, Ramirez found the experience to be rewarding and would encourage others to consider becoming donors. He highlighted the rigorous screening process donors undergo and the high success rate of kidney transplants, emphasizing the positive impact it can have on both the donor and recipient.

As the need for kidney transplants continues to grow, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and other transplant centers are working tirelessly to increase access to living donor transplants. With the support of donors like Ramirez and advocacy from individuals like Charlene DaSilva, more lives can be saved through the gift of organ donation.