ST. LOUIS TRANSPLANT NEED AT ALL-TIME HIGH

ST. LOUIS -- The number of people waiting for vital organ transplants in the St. Louis area has reached an all-time high.

According to Mid-America Transplant Services, 704 people are currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants at six local transplant centers, and more than 36,000 are waiting nationwide.

The local waiting list is up 10 percent from last year and has increased by 75 percent since 1991.

While organ donation is also up during the same period, it has not kept pace with the demand. Organ donation in the local area has increased 32 percent since 1991.

Mid-America Transplant Services is a private, not-for-profit corporation which coordinates the procurement of vital organs, tissue, and eyes for transplant throughout Missouri, southern Illinois and northern Arkansas.

Vital organs that can be transplanted include the heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and lungs. For more information about organ and tissue donation, call (314) 991-1661.