Staying Aware Donate Life Month highlights need for donors, lung transplants

April is designated as Donate Life Month, focusing on the urgent need for organ donors amid a significant shortage. Dr. Chadi Hage, Medical Director of UPMC’s Lung Transplant Program, highlights the challenges faced by patients suffering from advanced lung disease, which severely restricts their daily activities and requires reliance on oxygen. For these patients, lung transplants often represent the only viable treatment option when other medical therapies fail. Medical professionals assess transplant candidacy by determining if a lung transplant would be beneficial and if the patient is physically fit enough for the procedure.

Dr. Hage stresses the importance of encouraging organ donation to ensure a supply of lungs for those in need. The current shortage of donors exacerbates the situation, making awareness campaigns critical. April serves as an opportunity to honor existing donors while advocating for more people to consider becoming organ donors. The need for lung transplants highlights the broader issue of organ donation and its impact on quality of life for many patients.