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ImPACKD, The Kidney Foundation of Canada launch online resource for CKD patients

Before today, millions of Canadians living with chronic kidney disease did not have a strong online advocacy presence. Improving Patient Advocacy in Chronic Kidney Disease and The Kidney Foundation of Canada are now joining forces to provide an effective resource. Together, they are launching www.impackd.ca, a microsite of www.kidney.ca that is specifically designed for Canadians affected by chronic kidney disease.

17 Aug 2010

Canada's low deceased organ donation rate not due to lack of public support

While more than 4,000 Canadians are on wait lists for organ transplants - and every day-and-a-half, one patient dies waiting - Canada's low deceased organ donation rate cannot be attributed to a lack of public support.

16 Aug 2010

Donate Life California's list of organ and tissue donors increases to seven million

The number of registered organ and tissue donors in California has reached the nation-leading seven million mark, it was announced today by California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

7 Aug 2010

MagnaCare social networking campaigns raise awareness of personal health, preventive care

MagnaCare, a health plan services company with national reach, today announces that its ongoing social networking campaigns are successfully raising awareness of the importance of personal health improvement and preventive care, emphasizing issues that sometimes fall between the cracks of larger causes, and advancing the MagnaCare commitment to "Care Right Here."

13 Jul 2010

EU requirement for HIV, hepatitis screening of ART couples at each donation unnecessary, distressing

European legislation that requires all couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART) to be screened for HIV and hepatitis at the time of every sperm or egg donation is unnecessary, expensive, and potentially distressing for patients, the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard Monday.

2 Jul 2010

Mass. reports on people who buy insurance only when sick; Wash. board considers aiding consumers get 'Plan B' referrals; ACLU sues R.I. over electronic records

The Boston Globe: "The number of people who appear to be gaming the state's health insurance system by purchasing coverage only when they are sick quadrupled from 2006 to 2008, according to a long-awaited report released yesterday from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. The result is that insured residents of Massachusetts wind up paying more for health care, according to the report. … The report was released as state lawmakers consider proposals to make it harder for consumers to jump in and then dump their health insurance coverage" (Lazar, 6/30).

1 Jul 2010

First Edition: June 30, 2010

Today's headlines highlight the results of a new tracking poll that indicate that the health reform law has gained popularity among Americans while implementation advances for overhaul initiatives such as high-risk pools and the early retiree reinsurance program.

30 Jun 2010

Repeated viral screening for ART patients unnecessary with each donation

30 Jun 2010

Australian youth urged to become organ donors

New research has shown that many young Australians are not having their wishes to donate their organs honored because they fail to discuss these issues with their families beforehand. As a remedial measure Australia's chief medical officer, Professor Jim Bishop has urged more of the young population to come forth about their wishes to donate their organs after death.

24 Jun 2010

Tax credit for organ donation may help address shortage for transplant

A Universit- de Montr-al philosopher and ethicist is proposing that governments implement an organ donation tax credit to help increase the number of organs available for transplant.

4 Jun 2010

Old practice may discourage organ donation among minority individuals

A new Mayo Clinic study, published in the June 2010 issue of Gastroenterology, disputes a long-held hypothesis that a donor's race has an impact on the success of liver transplants.

3 Jun 2010

Grassroots awareness and education programs increase minority organ and tissue donations: Study

Minority organ donations have more than doubled since the institution of grassroots awareness and education programs, according to a new retrospective study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. In 2010, the percentage of minority donors is expected to reach 35 percent, up from approximately 15 percent in 1990.

3 Jun 2010

NY public hospital system plans to lay off about 500 workers and other state news

The Wall Street Journal: "New York City's Health & Hospitals Corp., the nation's largest public hospital system, plans to stanch a $1.2 billion budget gap in the next year's budget by laying off about 500 workers and ending contracts with 'a significant number' of physicians, its president said.

12 May 2010

Study reveals changes in brain activity in response to withdrawal of life support

At a time when "donation after cardiac death" (DCD) has become an important approach to increasing the number of transplant organ donors, a provocative new study shows changes in brain activity occurring in response to withdrawal of life support, reports the May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

5 May 2010

New tool may help neurologists predict candidates for organ donation

A new tool may help neurologists predict which coma patients may be candidates for organ donation, according to a study published in the April 27, 2010, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 May 2010

6 transplant surgeons perform 16 surgeries over 3 days in landmark domino paired kidney exchange

Chicago resident Maria Isho had been waiting for over nine years for a kidney transplant. Her body was highly sensitized, meaning that her body had built up antibodies in the blood, which made it difficult for her to find a match. To stay healthy, she endured a grueling dialysis regimen which diminished her quality of life and left her feeling physically drained.

29 Apr 2010

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute presents new findings on heart transplantation rejection factors

Physician scientists at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute are presenting new findings on heart transplantation rejection factors such as race and gender, the effects of pre-transplant smoking and whether homeless organ donors put recipients at higher risk for complications. The presentations will take place April 21 - 24 in Chicago during the 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

26 Apr 2010

Niagara Falls lights up for National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week

On April 21, 1994, two-year-old Stuart Herriott succumbed to head injuries after an accident and his parents consented to organ donation. His heart, liver and both kidneys were transplanted. Sixteen years later, the Herriott family, including Stuart's aunt, Linda Rumble, will be among the many supporters of organ and tissue donation gathering on both sides of the Canada -US boarder today to help raise awareness of the continuing need for organ and tissue donors.

24 Apr 2010

FDA approves Novartis Pharmaceuticals' Zortress for preventing rejection of kidney transplants

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zortress® (everolimus) oral tablets for the prevention of rejection of kidney transplants in adult patients at low-to-moderate immunologic risk. Zortress is to be given in combination with reduced doses of the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) cyclosporine, as well as basiliximab and corticosteroids.

22 Apr 2010

End-of-life care documentation helps in emergency treatment decisions

When Heather Rubesch was a teenager, her aunt died in need of a kidney transplant. In later family discussions, Heather's mother, Linda, expressed some of her views about end-of-life care—for instance, her belief in organ donation.

19 Apr 2010