Organ transplants performed in the United States hit a record high in 2016 for the fourth consecutive year, according to preliminary data released by the United Network for Organ Sharing.
For 2016, 33,606 transplants were reported, marking an 8.5 percent increase from the 2015 total and a 19.8 percent increase since 2012. The rising rate of transplants is largely attributable to a 9.2 percent uptick in the number of deceased donors from 2015 to 2016, continuing a six year trend of donor increases.
"Thousands more men, women and children are receiving a life-saving transplant opportunity each year," said Stuart Sweet, MD, PhD, president of the UNOS board of directors. "We are deeply grateful to all who have chosen to help others through the life-saving act of organ donation. We are also very conscious that many more people are still anxiously awaiting a transplant, so we must continue to work with our partners in the donation and transplant community to meet the needs of those who continue to wait."
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