organ transplants

The National Kidney Registry recently facilitated its 10,000th organ transplant from a living donor — someone who willingly gave up a kidney to a friend, family member or even a complete stranger. That includes Scott Plunket, an Albuquerque resident who received a new kidney and lease on life from a longtime friend.

Organ donations and transplants hit an all-time high in 2023, according to New Mexico Donor Services. Still, over 640 New Mexicans are sitting on a waitlist hoping to find a match before it’s too late. Donor Services, along with recipients and waitlisters themselves are undertaking efforts to get more New Mexicans with organ failure life-saving transplants.