Saving Lives One Organ at a Time

In February 2011, the University of Chicago Medical Center took part in its first “swap” organ transplant procedure. It allowed four transplant patients in different parts of the country, including one at the Medical Center, to receive organs from donors in other cities. It was the first time the Medical Center took part in such a complex and ambitious project.

I came aboard earlier this year as director of the Kidney and Pancreas Program. I really love working with transplant patients, because they are determined to fight for their lives.  It’s inspiring to watch them. So when I first came to the University of Chicago, one of the first things I did was sign the University onto the National Kidney Registry, which matches living donors with recipients nationwide.

It’s important to expand our Living Donor Program, because it increases the number of kidneys available. We’re encouraging our patients to bring potential donors to the Medical Center with them…people who are willing to donate an organ. Even if that donor is not a match, he or she could start a ‘chain reaction’ of donations like the surgeries that occurred in February. Ultimately, the patient at the University of Chicago may get an organ.

A kidney transplant means a better quality of life for most patients with end-stage renal disease. With dialysis, you need a lot of medical care, and there is a huge lifestyle burden being hooked to a machine for at least three days a week, four hours at a time. But for patients with diabetes who receive a pancreas transplant, the body starts producing adequate amounts of insulin for the first time, meaning an end to constant blood sugar checks and insulin injections. I’ve had type 1 diabetes patients go on to have babies, get jobs, get college degrees after a pancreas transplant. Usually, they can do whatever they want to do.

I’m enlisting the expertise of my colleagues–Lou Philipson, Roy Weiss and others–to perform more transplants and help patients get transplants earlier. It’s been great collaborating with the Kovler Diabetes Center and the Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, because their partnerships and feedback will help us better track patients who may need transplants soon.

It’s rewarding to see a patient’s life change for the better after a transplant. In many cases, you actually save a life, and that’s amazing. There is nothing more worthwhile than the work I do here.

Yolanda Becker, M.D.

Yolanda Becker, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Program
The University of Chicago Medical Center

An award-winning transplant surgeon, Dr. Becker has set a goal to expand the number of transplants the Medical Center performs, including live-donor transplants. That could mean more kidneys for diabetes patients in end-stage renal disease, or more pancreases for type 1 diabetics who qualify for a transplant. She has authored more than 100 scientific articles and abstracts and is a featured speaker at medical conferences across the globe. She serves on the boards of directors for the American Society of Transplantation and the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Click here to learn more about Kidney and Pancreas Transplants at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Transplant Options for Patients with Diabetes

Considering transplant as a way of replacing organ failure is a big decision. There are many steps that take place in preparation for transplant. First, we have to decide if you are medically stable enough to have a major operation. To do this, we order a series of tests. This sometimes takes several months to get accomplished and any test may have a result that needs even more tests!

There are several sources of reliable information on the Internet. A couple of the best sites include UNOS.org (The United Network for Organ Sharing) and NKF.org ( The National Kidney Foundation) to get preliminary information about the transplant process.

For patients with Type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be an option. The best thing about this type of transplant is that you no longer need insulin shots and there are usually no more sugar lows.

How does a pancreas transplant help diabetes?

o You will no longer need insulin shots.
o You will be able to eat a regular diet.
o You will have fewer or no reactions from low blood sugar or insulin.
o You can be more active and independent.
o High blood sugar cannot damage your kidney, especially if you have already had a kidney transplant or will receive one with the pancreas transplant.

The most important thing that a patient can do is to partner closely with the Endocrine team (Doctor, diabetes educator, nursing staff) to stay healthy.

I think our patients say it best. Here is an excerpt from a Kidney and Pancreas transplant recipient:

I hope you don’t mind I wanted to drop you a quick letter. I could not let tomorrow go by without a note of thanks.

On May 5th, our lives changed forever because of an anonymous donor. We will be forever grateful to all of you. I admire how you had taken care of us for these years and truly made us feel special.

[Transplant Patient] has had a few ups and downs, but nothing we weren’t able to overcome together. We are excited about spending tomorrow together and just celebrating life. A life filled with trips to Disney, celebrations and free from insulin and dialysis.

Yolanda Becker, M.D.

If you are a diabetes patient or love someone who is, I wish you the best in the managing the disease.

Yolanda Becker, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Program
The University of Chicago

If you have questions about transplantation or think you may be a candidate, please go online to visit the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago or call 773-702-4500.  You can also click here to learn more about Yolanda Becker, M.D.