April, 2017
On April 21, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Thymoglobulin® [anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit)], for use in the prophylaxis, or prevention, of acute rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant. Thymoglobulin is a well-established medication that has been used in kidney transplantation for nearly 20 years in the United States, and this FDA approval is an important milestone for the transplant community. The use of Thymoglobulin beginning just prior to transplantation may be an important step in ensuring a successful kidney implantation.
This FDA approval is...
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DEERFIELD, Ill. and MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. – April 24, 2017 – Walgreens and the American Society of Transplantation (AST) today announced a collaboration focused on establishing future initiatives to help improve medication adherence for organ transplant recipients. The topic of adherence and taking medications as prescribed is especially critical in transplantation, as recipients must take lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent possible organ rejection.
The collaboration will officially kickoff later this week with the “Tackling Medication Non-Adherence in Organ Transplantation”...
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In partnership with Optum, Bloomberg Media, and Donate Life America, the AST is pleased to announce the release of Day Zero, a heartwarming story about the journey of a 2-time liver transplant recipient. The video highlights the power of partnership, a personalized approach to medical care, and optimizing the health system for the benefit of transplant patients.
Organ donation and improving long-terms outcomes to make the gift of life last for the recipient’s lifetime are key messages conveyed in the video. Viewers are encouraged to become an organ donor and to support transplant research...
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We are pleased to announce the results for the
Communities of Practice (COP) elections, which includes the Co-Chairs and Members-at-Large of the Executive Committees.
Learn more about COPs.
Community of Basic Scientists (COBS)
William J. Burlingham, PhD
Peter S. Heeger, MD
Megan K. Levings, PhD
Rotating off: Xunrong Luo, MD, PhD, Valeria Mas, PhD, Jordan S. Pober, MD, PhD
Infectious Disease (IDCOP)
Jonathan Morgan Hand, MD
Rotating off: Sherif Mossad,...
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On March 31, 2017, President Donald Trump Proclaimed April 2017 as National Donate Life Month. It was orginally proclaimed in 2003 by President George W. Bush.
Read the press release.
March, 2017
On Saturday, March 4, 2017, the man known as the “father of transplantation,” Dr. Thomas E. Starzl,
passed away peacefully at the age of 90 at his home in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Starzl was best known for performing the first liver transplant in 1963 and the first successful liver transplant in 1967. He also made a significant contribution to the field of transplantation by helping to advance medicines to make transplantation more survivable. His work had patients travel from all over the world, making the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...
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The Division of Transplantation (DoT) has created an electronic news bulletin to share information about research projects funded under DoT’s grant programs. The first two editions focused on
adults 50 and older and
driving donations at DMVs. Periodically, the DoT will email additional bulletins that feature projects related to other topics or audiences. If you are...
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WASHINGTON, DC - Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - The American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing the majority of professionals engaged in the field of organ transplantation, applauds the reintroduction of the "Living Donor Protection Act of 2017" by Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. The legislation seeks to:
1. Prohibit denial of coverage or increase in premiums of life or disability insurance for living organ donors;
2. Clarify organ donation surgery as qualifying as a serious health condition under FMLA; and
3. Update educational...
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February, 2017
AST's President,
Anil Chandraker, will be interviewed live on NPR's "The Point" on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 9 AM EST. The program will also air at 7 PM EST and be archived on The Point's
website.
This episode of The Point will be a feature on kidney transplants.
Listen to the recorded broadcast.
In December 2016, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) implemented a...
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