Longest single-center kidney transplant chain in the nation reaches 100

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s single-center kidney transplant chain, considered the longest in the country, reached the mark of 100 kidney recipients on July 20.

This milestone was met with the help of Barbara Graybeal of Scottsboro, Alabama and Betty Griffin of Eufaula, Alabama. The women became the 99th and 100th kidney recipients, respectively, as part of the chain.

“To me, knowing that one person’s gift is the reason I’m here today with a new kidney is such a blessing,” Griffin said in a press release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

According to the release, the chain began on Dec. 5, 2013, when resident and donor Paula King approached UAB about the possibility of donating a kidney to a stranger in need and was committed to donating a kidney despite not having an intended recipient. The UAB Kidney Chain currently involves more than 200 people from 12 states.

“The UAB Kidney Chain is an impressive feat that shows how teamwork and innovation can achieve miraculous results,” King said in the release. “I am humbled to be a small part of what has been accomplished thus far. I would encourage anyone who is considering donating their kidney to think about the impact they can have on someone else’s life.”

Reference:

www.uab.edu/news/health/item/9638-nation-s-longest-single-site-kidney-chain-reaches-100