Guest Blogger Mary Wu’s Countdown to the 2012 Rose Parade


The Countdown Grab the calendar. Take out the permanent marker. Let us get ready for “The Countdown.” Yes, you read it right. “The Countdown” to the groundbreaking and extraordinary Rose Bowl Parade held on January 2, 2012 in Pasadena, California has officially begun. **CHEERING** Approximately 24 days from today, The Rose Bowl Parade Donate Life … Continue reading Guest Blogger Mary Wu’s Countdown to the 2012 Rose Parade

UKRO’s Ron Taubman Appointed to OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee


On July 1, 2011, Ronald S. Taubman, Board Member and Chair of UKRO’s Development Committee was appointed to a two-year term on the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee. Ron has been involved in local, state, and national organ and tissue donation and transplant issues for the last 10 years. He previously served as the Region 5 Representative … Continue reading UKRO’s Ron Taubman Appointed to OPTN/UNOS Kidney Committee

Older Living Kidney Donors in the News


Recent stories about older living kidney donors, including some with medical issues, are truly inspiring and encouraging given the organ shortage. In an interesting article, Stephen Textor, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, describes his experience with donors with moderate essential hypertension, who would normally be excluded from donating. – Medical Abnormalities Need Not … Continue reading Older Living Kidney Donors in the News

UKRO to Sponsor Rider on 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade Float


We’re excited to announce that UKRO will be sponsoring a rider on the 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade float. Next year’s parade theme, “Just Imagine…” pairs perfectly with the Donate Life float theme of “…One More Day,” envisioning a dream day when past moments are recaptured and new memories are made – “when donor families … Continue reading UKRO to Sponsor Rider on 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade Float

Gene Impacts Donor Kidney Survival, Could Increase CKD Risk


Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have discovered that variations in a gene called APOL1 explain why transplanted kidneys from some African American donors don’t last as long as others. The study showed that 2 copies of the recessive gene hindered kidney survival. The genetic anomaly, affecting 10 to 12 percent of African Americans, … Continue reading Gene Impacts Donor Kidney Survival, Could Increase CKD Risk

Cell Therapy May Eliminate Need for Transplant Drugs


Scientists from the University of Oxford, University College London, and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have discovered a way to manipulate and grow regulatory T cells that will stop organ rejection in mice. The technique involves extracting T cells from the subject as well as cells from the donor organ and culturing them in a … Continue reading Cell Therapy May Eliminate Need for Transplant Drugs