The National Kidney Foundation introduced the Live Donor Champion Program — an effort designed to overcome common barriers to finding living kidney donors — at the White House Organ Summit Monday morning.
Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins transplant surgeon Dorry Segev, MD, PhD, developed the program, which teaches people how to use their personal connections and social networks to raise awareness about the need for kidney donors; as well as find potential live donor candidates.
As part of the program, the National Kidney Foundation will collaborate with Johns Hopkins University and global healthcare and pharmaceutical company Novartis to share education resources to transplant centers across the country, according to Kevin Longino, CEO of National Kidney Foundation.
"While patients are often hesitant to discuss their need for a transplant, friends and family members are eager to spread the word about the possibility of donation and want to be an advocate — a champion — for the patient," said Mr. Longino. "Helping our patients increase their chances of receiving a kidney transplant is critical to our mission; and we are pleased to be working with Johns Hopkins University and Novartis in delivering this program to patients nationwide."
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