The American Liver Foundation (ALF) announced the launch of the ALF Living Donor Network, the first-ever non-directed donor (formerly called altruistic donor) database created to connect individuals who wish to donate part of their liver with transplant centers nationwide to help patients in need.
The ALF Living Donor Network is a pivotal step in addressing the critical shortage of liver donors in the U.S. It not only increases the donor pool but also offers a lifeline to children and adults who might otherwise face prolonged wait times on a deceased donor list, leading to potential decline in health or even death.
“There are nearly 9,300 people in the United States waiting for a liver transplant, and the need for donors is so great,” said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO of ALF and a caregiver to a transplant recipient. “Approximately 25% of people on the liver transplant list will die waiting due to a lack of available organs, and this is unacceptable. ALF’s Living Donor Network offers non-directed living liver donors a secure way to connect with transplant centers across the country in an effort to save lives.”
Most living donors know the person they would like to donate part of their liver to; this is called directed donation. There is, however, an increasing number of individuals who would like to provide the gift of life to someone in need, whom they do not know. These individuals are known as non-directed donors (NDD), formerly called altruistic or anonymous donors.
“The ALF Living Donor Network is open to adult U.S. residents who wish to become non-directed donors. Donors register through a secure portal and complete a health history screening assessing 13 core clinical areas. Eligible donors will be referred to a participating transplant center of their choice for further evaluation.
This effort is powered by MedSleuth’s BREEZE platform. A transplant center does not need to be a current BREEZE user to participate; if they are, donor referrals will integrate into their existing dashboard. The Living Donor Network will be available to transplant centers at no cost. Transplant centers may use this interest form to receive additional information.
