A Sister’s Gift: 44 Years of Life After Kidney Transplant
Seoul National University Hospital recently celebrated a milestone, hosting an event for organ transplant recipients with a theme of ”30 years together, rewriting the story of life.” The gathering highlighted the long-term success of transplantation, with 80 patients having lived for over 30 years post-transplant and 30 patients between 0-30 years.
The hospital, a pioneer in the field, began kidney transplants in 1969, followed by liver (1988), heart (1994), and lung (1996) transplants. This year alone saw groundbreaking advancements, including Korea’s first robotic lung transplant and Asia’s first single-hole robotic living kidney transplant. To date, the hospital has performed over 4,000 kidney, 2,980 liver, 278 heart, 224 lung, and 72 pancreas transplants.
Among the 112 patients who have thrived for over 30 years after receiving transplants at Seoul National University Hospital, a common thread emerged in a recent survey: diligent adherence to immunosuppressant medication, regular exercise, effective stress management, a positive outlook, and recognition for daily life.
One especially inspiring story was that of Yang Jeom-suk, a 76-year-old poet, who received a kidney transplant 44 years ago in 1981. Her kidney failure stemmed from pregnancy poisoning (pre-eclampsia) following a pregnancy at age 32. Her younger brother, Yang Gwi-sun, 12 years her junior, proved to be a match – a crucial factor at the time, requiring compatible blood types. He promptly volunteered to donate a kidney to his sister.
Ms. Yang initially hesitated, grappling with concerns about leaving her child. She had begun preparing for the possibility of her passing, distributing belongings, but the thought of her son weighed heavily on her decision.
Both sisters have remained healthy since the surgery. Ms.Yang emphasized that despite misconceptions about transplant longevity, careful management ensures a full life. She expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing care provided by the medical team at Seoul National University Hospital.
According to Min Sang-il, director of the Organ Transplant Center, kidney transplant recipients have a considerably higher survival rate than those relying on dialysis – over 90% survive compared to 50-60% with dialysis after 10 years. He cautioned, however, that immunosuppressants can increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of post-transplant exercise.
