Kidney Health New Zealand welcomes new TV series

Media Release

October 26 2010

Kidney Health New Zealand welcomes new TV series about organ donation and transplantation

“With over 500 people with kidney failure on the waiting list for transplants, Kidney Health New Zealand congratulates TVNZ for its decision to air the new TV series Situation Critical in primetime”, says KHNZ Chair Dave Henderson.

“Many New Zealanders are in need of donated organs, not just kidneys, and we also congratulate Organ Donation New Zealand for its contribution to the programme.”

Professor Kelvin Lynn, Medical Director of Kidney Health New Zealand, says “This TV series will enhance the community’s awareness of the benefits of organ donation.”

“At the end of 2009, there were 2,260 people on kidney dialysis in New Zealand. During 2009, there were 54 kidney transplants from deceased donors and 67 from live donors. Waiting times for a deceased donor transplant average three to five years”, said Professor Lynn.

In order to increase the present low rate of deceased donor organ donation, Kidney Health New Zealand encourages people to make a decision about whether their organs can be donated in the event of their death and, importantly, to discuss this with their family/whanau.

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