NHS Blood and Transplant have released their annual Transplant Activity Report, which reveals nearly 7,000 people are now on the waiting list for a kidney in the UK – an 11% rise in a single year.
The report found that 306 people died last year while waiting for a kidney transplant – up from 289 the year before – representing six deaths every week amongst those waiting. The average waiting time for a kidney transplant has also increased to 503 days.
We know that living kidney donation can drastically improve the lives of those on the waiting list. The stats showed that living kidney donations now account for over 40 per cent of all organ donations, and living donors across kidney and liver transplants have increased to 991, from 944 the previous year. 60 of these donated to a stranger, making a huge difference for people waiting for a kidney and their families.
Learn more about living kidney donation and the benefit it can offer people on the kidney waiting list by looking through our website and discover the support available for anyone considering donating themselves.
